Celebrating our living veterans (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Celebrating our living veterans

8:30am Monday 29th June 2009 in

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Remembrance Sunday and the Poppy Appeal will always have a special place in the nation’s heart, giving everyone a chance to honour those from our Armed Forces who lost their lives in the line of duty.

However, these are not the only events to pay tribute to those who served their country with such distinction.

The third Veterans’ Weekend held in Bradford, which included Armed Forces Day, has just come to an end, and it is fair to say that it was another great success.

On one level, Saturday and Sunday were just cracking days out, with a fantastic range of attractions for people of all ages.

It was also great to see Centenary Square put to such good use and so many people drawn to Bradford over the two days – city centre chiefs please take note.

But it also allowed people to honour our living veterans, to hear their stories and to learn from them – and there was not always such a good opportunity to do this.

As in previous years, there was such a great sense of community about proceedings.

And it is these aspects that give the event its unique flavour – one of celebration.

As such, it makes a perfect counterpoint to the naturally more sombre and formal ceremonies held in November.

And both, in their very different ways, achieve something that is so important – they make sure we do not forget.