Lest we forget
Thursday, 13 November 2008
First Armagh Scout Alistair Bassett waits to lay his wreath during Armagh’s Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph. PW4668
by STEPHEN RICHARDSON.
YOUNG and old joined together in solemn tribute this week to The Fallen of two world wars and other more recent theatres of conflict.
On Sunday, Remembrance Day ceremonies were held in Armagh City, towns, villages and hamlets throughout the county.
Several thousand people turned out to lay wreaths, pay their respects, and recall with pride the supreme sacrifice which was made by so many in the name of freedom.
And, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, on Tuesday, other services were held to commemorate Armistice Day, the 90th anniversary of the official ending of the Great War.
This was marked when the City of Armagh Branch of the Royal British Legion paraded their Standards to The Cenotaph on Mall West.
At that Act of Remembrance ceremony, the Rev Barry Paine, the Branch Chaplain, accompanied by the Branch President, Comrade Charles Brady BEM, officiated.
This poignant event also included the customary Two Minutes' Silence.
Armistice Day was also acknowledged in Markethill when local Legion representatives were joined in the Two Minute's Silence by members of the public.
They formed up at The Square in the town where the Act of Remembrance was celebrated at the Memorial Stone.
And, while the number of veterans from the two world wars has rapidly decreased in numbers because of the ravages of time, sadly there are now many more younger victims of conflicts.
Thousands have already perished during the Northern Ireland Troubles and in faraway places, such as Korea, Middle East, The Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Countless others have been maimed and injured in these more modern wars which continue to take a toil on the Combined Services.
All these ex-servicemen and women are now being remembered by a newer, younger generation, with the same pride and passion as their forefathers.
They and their predecessors will continued to be recalled for their bravery, dedication and professionalism in the face of a determined enemy.
Lest we forget!
