Alison McGovern: Remembrance Sunday and why we must never forget

Nov 9 2011 Bromborough and Bebington News

IT is that time of the year again when, where ever you look, buttonholes are adorned with poppies.

They serve as an important visual reminder of the sacrifice that service men and women have given, and continue to give, for the freedoms that we all enjoy today.

On Sunday I have the proud honour of joining with ex-service personnel, representatives of local groups and neighbours at a service of Remembrance at Christ Church, Port Sunlight.

I will also be laying a wreath at the beautiful, recently restored, war memorial in the centre of the village, my small tribute to our armed forces past and present.

We must never forget the heroism and the dedication shown by our grandparents and great-grandparent's generation in both World Wars. They fought and suffered in ferocious conditions and witnessed incomprehensible horrors. Sadly the number of surviving veterans is dwindling, which makes it all the more important that we take the time out of our busy modern lives to remember.

This year our armed services have seen action in Afghanistan, and have supported the people of Libya in their fight for freedom.

It reminds us that the triumph of democracy over dictatorship is a hard won and precious achievement.

It also reminds us of the extraordinary tenacity, professionalism and courage of those who go to war for us when we ask them to do so.

Please take a couple of minutes this week out of your day to remember them. “For our tomorrow, they gave their today.”