Thought for the week

ON Sunday I attended the war memorial in Llandudno as the local British Legion Chaplain to lead the act of remembrance. Last year there were thousands of people in attendance because it was the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

And next year it will be the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

So this year is something of an in-between year, sandwiched as it is between these major commemorations.

But there will still be plenty of people at the war memorial nonetheless. Why?

Because it still matters. We still feel the need to gather to remember those who gave their lives for our safety and freedom. They believed in our country and what it stood for, and we are grateful for their sacrifice.

But do we believe in our country? Do we even know what our country stands for any more?

I don’t think I am saying anything controversial when I suggest that perhaps we are not as sure as those soldiers were. Then, the reality of aggression against our country and its values gave them something to fight for.

In these times of turbulence, divisive politics and widely differing opinions about the best direction for our country, we need to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for it. We must remind ourselves of the values and attitudes that made them proud to be British and seek to stay true to our heritage as a tolerant and respectful society. And we must pray for our politicians that, as they seek to get into parliament and power, they will hold before them a vision of a Britain we can all be proud of.

Rev Bev Ramsden