Remember the fallen at home, minister tells public

VETERANS MINISTER Johnny Mercer has said Remembrance Sunday will be “a little bit different” this year, as members of the public are urged to mark the event from home due to the coronavirus crisis.

Former Army officer Mr Mercer said everything would be done to commemorate the fallen in the “correct way”, but added that the pandemic was a “really good opportunity” for people to remember in their own home.

The public have been asked to stay away from this year’s National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph, which typically sees thousands of people line the streets through Whitehall to pay their respects, due to Covid- 19 restrictions.

“What we’re trying to do is deal with this pandemic at the moment and deal with it in the most sensible way,” Mr Mercer said.

“Now you saw how we celebrated VE Day and VJ Day and things like that this year, using social distancing and adjusting to the pandemic and actually, it’s a really good opportunity for people to remember in their own homes and take a bit of time just to do things a little bit differently.

“We are going to do everything we can to remember Remembrance Sunday in the correct way.”

York Council said the city’s Remembrance Day parade will not go ahead but an “appropriate” service will be held with York Minster and broadcast online

Meanwhile, veterans’ organisations have supported plans to hold a virtual service in Kirklees with the lighting up of landmarks such as the Victoria Tower on Castle Hill in Huddersfield.