On this day of Armistice, we pause to remember the sacrifices made by those who served in the First World War and all wars since then. We honor their bravery, their resilience, and their unwavering commitment to protecting our freedom and values.
The guns fell silent on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, marking the end of the war that had engulfed the world for four long years. Millions of lives had been lost, countless families shattered, and entire nations scarred by the horrors of conflict.
Yet, amidst the devastation and despair, a flicker of hope emerged – a promise of peace and a renewed determination to build a better future. The Armistice of 1918 represented a turning point, a moment when humanity paused to reflect on the futility of war and the importance of dialogue and understanding.
Today, as we commemorate this momentous occasion, we must not forget the lessons of the past. We must strive to prevent the recurrence of such conflicts and work tirelessly towards a world where peace and harmony prevail.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of our communities who answered the call to duty and fought for our freedom. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
Let us honor their memory by upholding the values they fought for – courage, compassion, and a commitment to peace. Let us work together to create a world where the guns of war are silenced forever.
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them.
The photos below are from the services I attended in Sedgefield, Fishburn, Trimdons, Wheatley Hill, Wingate, Cornforth and Thornley, before heading to Newton Aycliffe tomorrow.