SUNDAY is Armistice Day when those who selflessly made the supreme sacrifice for Britain in two world wars and in global conflicts since are remembered at the 11th hour, on the 11th day and in the 11th month by kith and kin.
Thousands of remembrance ceremonies will be held across the United Kingdom, most of them organised by the Royal British Legion, and these solemn events will appropriately capture the mood of an island nation that is intensely proud of its military traditions.
In Northern Ireland, remembrance services and wreath-laying observances will take place in our cities, towns and villages and the pain of those who have lost loved ones in past and present conflicts will publicly manifest itself.
Our Province has tragically lost 10 soldiers killed in action in the ongoing war in Afghanistan – the latest 25-year-old Channing Day, from Comber, who was buried in her home town on Thursday with full military honours.
Soldiering has long been a noble tradition in this region of the United Kingdom. And, while there are those in the nationalist/republican communities who, for narrow political reasons, will not subscribe to these ideals, the work of the Royal British Legion enjoys wide support from people of all denominations and none. Indeed, it is highly significant that tomorrow the Republic’s Taoiseach Enda Kenny and his deputy Eamon Gilmore will be in Northern Ireland for commemorations.
In the First and Second World Wars, thousands of Roman Catholics from the two parts of Ireland gallantly fought alongside Ulster Protestants against a common enemy. Their brave contribution was replicated by young men and women from this island in the wars since.
We will remember them.