At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, to pay hommage to those who fought for this country and paid the ultimate price, everyone here will pause and come together.
Today is the day that brings us all together, but let us not forget their motives to go out to fight against all that stood against the good of humanity, their courage in leaving their families and friends behind to go to foreign lands. They fought against injustices, tyranny and other negative values that went against an unwritten moral code most of us share.
Perhaps the best way to honour them on an ongoing basis is to continue to fight for what we know is right, answering the call of John McCrae’s words:
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
These days, the Foe isn’t very often that person in another country holding a gun; yes it can be as innucuous as that reality TV programme or that social media platform you have become accustomed to opening first thing…
Regardless of how helpless we feel as individuals, just putting your hand up to ask someone in power that ackward question or taking a stand in favour of a cause you feel strongly about is a step that I feel carries on similar values for our planet and humanity. You would be surprised how many people feel the same about basic human morals, but just don’t feel they have a voice any more as they aren’t an “Influencer” or someone famous…
When we started up, we never imagined that a single fund raising event would have led us to this stage. So today, as we remember those who gave their lives: we will continue to be here to help your Forces family to the best of our abilities.
To every family who has lost relatives, our thoughts also turn to you as you mourn those you have lost. I never got to meet one of my uncles on my mother’s side; he was killed during WW2, so it’s personal for me as well.
To those of you who have lost brothers and sisters during any conflict, we are here if you want to reach out.
