November is always a particularly poignant time of year. It’s a time when the nation falls silent to remember those who gave their lives so that we have our freedom.
Remembrance services took place across the country and I attended services in Tidworth and Malmesbury. I joined these two local communities as they reflected and paid their respects for the role that our Armed Forces do to protect the country. I never fail to be moved at the huge sacrifice made by so many in the World Wars and other conflicts; particularly here in Wiltshire which is steeped in military history.
Last Saturday, it was 11 November – which marked the 99 year anniversary marking the end of the First World War. Next year - 2018 - will mark the centenary of the Armistice; a significant milestone.
To mark such an historical and special date it’s only right and fitting that Wiltshire considers and creates an appropriate and long-lasting legacy. We cannot forget the hundreds of thousands who served and those who died during the four years of this Great War.
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| Wall of Remembrance |
In 2014, we invited Wiltshire’s communities and children to help commemorate the anniversary of the start of the war. A remembrance service, held at Tidworth Cemetery, brought together the military and civilian communities and a striking Wall of Remembrance – made up of 10,000 crosses, one for each soldier who lost their life – was a significant and memorable feature at this event. School children across the county made the crosses and researched the soldiers who had died in service from their local communities so that each cross bears the name of a soldier and a personal message. This research and participation in creating the Wall is helping to keep the legacy and memories alive.
Our local communities want to mark next year’s centenary and create a lasting legacy. The aim is to plant 10,000 trees across Wiltshire – one for each soldier. The response so far has been overwhelming, with groups and organisations across the length and breadth of our county already identifying sites locally where trees can be planted next November.
Working with the Woodland Trust, we will assist school children in all the communities to plant the trees and mark each one with the name of a soldier.
Across the county memorial woodlands and copses will be created to remember, to reflect, and to never forget.
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| Wiltshire Assembly |
Last week Wiltshire Assembly focused on this and how we continue to work with the military to make sure that we are doing all we can to welcome the Armed Forces.
You may have seen the recent Channel 4 broadcast that showed the 999 What’s Your Emergency programme with the theme of military, which focused on the impact of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that can affect soldiers returning from war zones. It also highlighted civilian and military communities and the issues that can occur when they come together; particularly on a Saturday night.
For me it reinforced the need to continue to bring these communities together for mutual support and benefit.
Wiltshire’s Military Civilian Integration Partnership has gone from strength to strength since it was formally established in 2006. We will continue to work together to focus on what’s needed to provide support; particularly those leaving the Armed Forces and wishing to make their home and secure employment in Wiltshire.
Together we are building truly integrated communities. We are proud to be a military county and we must never forget the sacrifice of so many.
We will remember them.
Jane
