This past week has marked Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, where people across our country paused in silence to honour all who served. In Lincolnshire, this always resonates strongly, especially as the home of the RAF Bomber Command and the place with so many airfields and where many RAF personnel are still based. This year’s commemorations held a special significance too, coinciding with the 80th anniversaries of both VE Day and VJ Day.
It was on 8th May this year that we celebrated the 80th anniversary of VE Day, when Britain, the Commonwealth, and our allies defeated Nazi Germany and liberated Europe from tyranny. We must never forget the service and sacrifice of all those who served on land, at sea, and in the air during the Second World War.
On the 15th August, we marked VJ Day, when Japan surrendered and the Second World War was finally brought to an end. Whilst this day is sadly less familiar to many, it holds just as much importance, honouring the endurance of all those - including from our corner of Lincolnshire - who fought in the Asia-Pacific. Together, these commemorative days gave us an early reminder of the immense courage and sacrifice that our annual service of Remembrance seeks to honour each year.
As we took time to reflect this week, Parliament once again opened its annual Constituency Garden of Remembrance, offering MPs the chance to lay a tribute on behalf of their constituencies. As with each year, it was a deep privilege to plant a poppy cross on behalf of everyone in our area. I was joined by MPs and representatives from every parliamentary constituency, as well as all nations of the Commonwealth, the British Overseas Territories, and the Crown Dependencies.
Locally, it was a great honour to take part again in Grantham’s Remembrance Day parade and wreath-laying ceremony, an event that holds deep significance for our community each and every year. As is tradition, the parade began at The Guildhall and made its way down the High Street to St Wulfram’s Church, where the annual service of remembrance was held. As they did in Bourne and across so many of our villages too last Sunday, I continue to take immense pride at the fact that such a large number of residents, local veterans, and community groups came together to pay their respects and reflect on the sacrifices made by those who served.
From local commemorations to national acts of Remembrance, I know that we all took time to pause and reflect on the price of peace and the enduring debt we owe to those who have served, or continue to serve, our country. Our Armed Forces continue to embody the same spirit of duty and courage, while safeguarding our freedoms and interests across the globe, just like previous generations.
