Remembrance Day Parade

A day of raw, deep emotions. Our great friend Chris who has been ill for the past couple of years passed away early this morning. How glad we were that we had seen him and had a laugh with him last Monday,not knowing that the end was so near. We knew it was only a matter of time but didn't expect it to be so soon.

So reeling from that new as we awoke we went to the Remembrance Day Parade in town. We're of the generation whose parents were involved in or lived through the Second World War and in my case my Grandad served in the Great War. We've always set great store by marking the Remembrance Services.

My Dad was the Standard Bearer for the Wrockwardine Branch of the British Legion and was usually On Parade on Remembrance Sunday. Both my parents sold Poppies around the local area. We all watched the Service on BBC on Saturday night, with both parents eagerly watching to spot anyone out of step.

For some inexplicable reason, we forgot to watch the Saturday programme this year. However, the Parade and Service in Maidstone made up the omission to some degree. Remembrance and the Poppy doesn't glorify War as some suggest; it's a powerful yet simple way that we can remember all those who suffered or are suffering from the impact of wars.

For us today was also about remembering a very special person too, who is now no longer with us.