Along with many other communities across the Vale and across the nation, East and West Hanney joined together this evening for a solemn service of remembrance at St James the Great. Around 70 people attended the service which ended in almost complete darkness, just the war memorial illuminated by a single candle.
It is right to remember the events of 100 years ago and the sacrifice and suffering of many millions over the following four years. We must avoid turning such commemorations into a pageant of remembrance, but instead try to learn from the past in order to improve our world for the future. History teaches us that wars and conflict cannot always be avoided, but the suffering of the innocent - and even the not so innocent - is as apparent today as it has ever been.
As a nation we owe a great debt of gratitude to those who have served, do serve and indeed will serve in then future. In the words on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior, this who gave the most that Man can give, life itself, for God, for King and Country, for loved ones, home and Empire, for the sacred cause of justice and the freedom of the world.