‘Remembering sacrifice will be more important than ever’
REMEMBRANCE Sunday will look significantly different across South Wales this year.
The firebreak lockdown will mean large gatherings will not be able to come together on the day when the country falls silent to remember members of the Armed Forces who have died in the line of duty.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has indicated small commemorations on Sunday, November 8, will be allowed, adding that remembering sacrifice will be more important than ever now.
“There will be an exception for Remembrance Sunday,” he previously said.
“Those organised events that local authorities, the British Legion and other partners have already organised for Sunday, November 8, when we mark that national sacrifice.
“This seems to me more important than ever that we do that during a period where further sacrifices are being asked of us all.
“Organised events, small in scale and very different to previous years will be able to go ahead, but those are the only gatherings that will be an exception during the two-week period of the firebreak.”
For the general public, the Echo’s sister title The Mirror has been campaigning to ensure our fallen forces heroes are remembered for their sacrifice by appealing to the nation to stand outside their homes in silence for two minutes at 11am on November 8. Political leaders have backed the call, as has Falklands hero Simon Weston.
Simon, 59, from Nelson, near Caerphilly, was badly burned when his ship the Sir Galahad was bombed by Argentine jets in 1982. He said the doorstep tribute could “unite” the country.
Simon said: “It’s a wonderful idea when we can’t have parades and I can’t thank The Mirror enough. This could show that everyone is united...”
Veterans and forces’ sweetheart Katherine Jenkins, the family of the late Dame Vera Lynn, Champion Boxer Frank Bruno and Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas are also backing the campaign. Meanwhile, the Royal
British Legion has set out a list of suggested activities that residents can take part in from the comfort of their own home.
They include: have a small Remembrance service in your garden;
create a small Remembrance space in your garden, for example planting plants that have a connection;
use Zoom/ Facebook live event or another appropriate online meeting resource to host an online Remembrance service / activity;
set-up a community Remembrance forum to discuss different residents’ Remembrance stories; and
create an online exhibition of Remembrance related photos from local residents that schools or others could use to discuss local Remembrance activities.
Ant Metcalfe, Wales Area Manager for the Royal British Legion added: “Whilst it is deeply disappointing that Remembrance events will be different this year, we understand that the decision has been taken to protect the health and involved.
“The public can all still play a part in ensuring Remembrance Sunday is appropriately marked and the Royal British Legion are encouraging people to participate in their own personal moment of remembrance – whether that be watching the national Service of Remembrance on television or pausing for the two minute silence at home or on their doorsteps.”
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