It seems to me that the words “We Will Remember Them” are more poignant this year than ever before. This is not just because so few are left who fought in World War II, but also because the World has become increasingly dangerous since the end of the Covid Pandemic.
However, Remembrance Sunday was not always so obvious. Forty years ago, one of my soldiers asked why he had to march to church to commemorate something which was signed so long ago that it was irrelevant, especially as no member of his family had been affected by the two World Wars.
In reply, I attempted to put some perspective on the only day of the year when the Padre has a captive audience. I talked about the millions of men and women who gave their lives in the cause of freedom and explained how in every ship, regiment and air-base there is a book of remembrance for those who have died In Service since the Second World War. I added that it was appropriate that collectively, we should take the opportunity of considering whether we are really leading our lives as we should.
I am not sure that I convinced him at that time, but very sadly, he later became a grieving father when his son, who followed him into our regiment, was killed in an explosion while on patrol in Lashkar Gah. The strength of a family regiment is seen in the pain and grief we all share when a soldier dies.
Rupert Wieloch 