Wearside will show its support

The work that has gone into the preparations for this year’s Remembrance events has, without doubt, drawn our community closer.

The efforts have, in many ways, revealed some of the great strength of Wearsiders as a community. Creativity, care, imagination and no shortage of hard graft can be found in abundance.

Over the last few weeks we have been able to follow the preparations and plans to mark this most significant of days, 100 years since the signing of the First World War Armistice.

And they have been many, varied and spanning generations.

The bigger events planned are impressive, such as the Pages of Sea artwork and Remembrance parade, but it is in the smaller ones that we can see the efforts made in ensuring that generations to come will continue to remember the fallen.

Of course, the events, the organised gatherings and significant public displays in support of the commemoration will mean little if they are not attended by the public.

The vital ingredient is the backing and show of solidarity. In this case, of course, we know there is no need for a rallying call to Wearsiders.

We have always had strong and close links to our fighting forces and every year the people come out in huge numbers to show that support.

A great deal of effort has gone into making this significant milestone one to live long in the memory.

We remember the sacrifice make for the freedoms we enjoy today and that will be reflected in the turn-out across the community this weekend.

In support of the fallen, Wearside will not be found wanting.