How Important Is It To Honour Those Who’ve Served The Nation?
On Remembrance Sunday, hundreds of people gathered at Oxford’s War Memorial to pay tribute to those who’d made the ultimate sacrifice. Those gathered spoke of what the event means to them.
Remembrance Day is one the most poignant and historic days in the British calendar. For over a century, the nation has paid tribute to its fallen on the 11th day of the 11th Month, as well as on Remembrance Sunday – which is held on the second Sunday of November every year.
On Sunday, current and former servicemen and women, politicians, faith leaders, and members of the public gathered at Oxford’s War Memorial at the north end of St Giles’ to mark the occasion.
But as another year of Remembrance commemorations drew to a close. Why is Remembrance Day still important? And is its importance being diminished as the years go by?
Mick Perkins, 67, from Oxford, is a veteran of the Royal Hussars. He was attending the Oxford service for the first time this year. He told me that for him, Remembrance Day was a day for “remembering old comrades” as “some of them gave their lives for their country.”
Mick added that Remembrance Day is important because “we wouldn’t have the freedom that we’ve got now if it wasn’t for people like you see before you [pointing towards his fellow veterans].”
And on whether some people don’t take Remembrance Day seriously enough nowadays? Mick says: “Some, yeah. Some don’t appreciate the freedom they’ve got because of the sacrifices people made in the generations before them.”
Eleanor Harris, 19, who studies at Hertford College, Oxford, agrees with Mick. She thinks that the occasion has, indeed, diminished in its importance for some people. “It’s a real shame,” she said, “for example, I’m one of the only students here, I think that’s sad.”
Why did she think that was? “I think people don’t care as much. Maybe it’s a time thing?” She continued: “I think people aren’t teaching their children as much about the importance of going to events like this [Remembrance Sunday].”
What was Remembrance Day to her? It’s about “showing respect for those who came before us,” she said.
Morris Gray, 43, from London, was dressed up for the occasion. He spoke to me touchingly about his grandfather’s war service. He said Remembrance Day was “massively important” and that the conversations he had with his grandfather made him realise how “lucky we are nowadays.”
Morris disagreed with the sentiment that some people aren’t taking Remembrance Day seriously enough. “I feel like there’s more of a resurgence nowadays,” he said.
His friend, George Livermore, 44, from Kent, agreed. He did, however, acknowledge that there might have been a dip in public sentiment, but, importantly, he said, “I think it is growing.”
In the recent Autumn budget, Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, announced new funding for next year’s VE and VJ day 80th anniversary events. Only further cementing the importance of events which honour those who’ve served the UK in the past.