'Touching to see how these events bring the community together'

MS for North Wales

In recent days and weeks, the nation has been undertaking Remembrance commemorations. They culminated on Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day on 11th November, which this year fell on a Monday.

On Remembrance Sunday, I attended an event a wreath-laying ceremony at The Royal Welch Fusiliers Memorial in Wrexham. It’s always incredibly touching to see how these events bring the community together, with so many wanting to share their gratitude for our service men and women.

Events like this take place across the country, with the biggest commemoration in London where King Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph and led the nation with a two-minutes silence.

The Cenotaph originally started as a temporary monument to those who died in the Great War, but it was made permanent in November 1920 and pays tribute to ‘The Glorious Dead’.

It is the most recognisable war memorial in the United Kingdom, but there are so many others up and down the land, big and small – but all dedicated to the memory of those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Since the Great War, there has been another World War and many more conflicts since. We solemnly remember those who died in those wars during the first half of the twentieth century, but also those in modern times like the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan which we all saw on our television screens.

In addition to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, there are others who have terrible physical and mental scars. I thought of them, too, and as a politician one of my roles is to champion the voice of veterans and make sure they get the best care, treatment and support possible. People from all parties and of all political parties should be united in this aim, backing organisations like the Royal British Legion and others such as Scotty’s Little Soldiers, a charity that supports the children of fallen service people.

The men and women of our armed forces, currently and historically, fight to defend our freedoms and way of life. It is a sacred duty, and one that we can never fully repay. We Will Remember Them.

If you have any queries or issues that you would like to tell me about, then you can drop me an email at sam.rowlands@senedd.wales