Remembrance Sunday – A solemn thought for the fallen
Written by Uilleam Mac Gafraidh
This is a hard article to write as it is for a date on the calendar that changes every year but is so poignant to me and I will let you know why below.
One thing that has never really been discussed by me is that I used to be in the British Army, I signed on to the Territorial Army Royal Engineers (Reserve Forces) in Coatbridge (124 Field Squadron) and that is really where I progressed from boy to man.
One of the first things we are taught as Engineers is a respect for those who have gone before you, the ones who gave their tomorrow so that we could enjoy a free today. This is not about patriotism or holding an ideal of what your country should be like, or simply thrusting your union flag in someone’s face to declare yourself more British than your neighbour. It is simply about giving the men and women who fell defending your country, the respect that you can no longer pay them as they are no longer here.
So spare a thought for those who have seen action, whether it be in the World Wars, whether it be in Vietnam, whether it be in Northern Ireland or in the pursuit of terrorists at both home and abroad, some came home no different, some came home broken and some did not come home at all. The Americans have a flag for all of their personnel that are Missing In Action, I wish the British did likewise.
Please spare a few moments to reflect on the sacrifice that has been given by these people who have gone before you, in the UK every year, I used to buy a poppy, as a piece of symbolism to show my support, not just for the Earl Haig fund or for the Royal British Legion, but for the folks who have done their best (and in some cases gave their all, more than they imagined they would, their life) to preserve British interests and the interests of the commonwealth globally.
I pray for everyone affected currently by the current campaigns that the British Army is engaged in, especially in both Iraq and Afghanistan, let the people who make the decisions make the correct one’s based on the needs of the people of those nations and not due to popular voice back home.
To fill you in, if you are not familiar with Remembrance Sunday, it is the Sunday that is closest to the anniversary of the ending of the 1st World War on 11th November 1918. Below is a video that is common of what happens that day, the main figure being H.M Queen Elizabeth.
I will be wearing a poppy red shirt today at church to pay respect in my own way. I pray that you all make a tribute in whatever fashion is easiest for you. Please remember All gave some and some gave all.
God bless you one and all
Uilleam Mac Gafraidh
