We will remember them

As Lyn and I made our way to the Remembrance Day service yesterday I was reminded what a difference a day (or a year!) makes. This time last year I was taking my place on the steps of the Portsmouth Guildhall, looking out over the square at the thousands gathered for this special act of Remembrance in that military city. The centre of the square filled with uniformed representative of the services; with the band of the Royal Marines taking centre stage. The highlight of the ceremony was watching as the crowd applauded the arrival of the surviving WW11 veterans, led by our Portsmouth Citadel corps band. This was always a proud moment for me as Corps officer – and one that every band member considered a great honour and privilege.

Yesterday was rather different.  We received invitations from the British Ambassador to attend the  

Far left: British Ambassador Mr Chris Holtby pays his respects

Remembrance service at the Tallinn military cemetery so donned our full uniforms, fixed our poppies and found our way there. We were not expecting a Portsmouth-sized crowd but we were greeted warmly by fellow Brits as we arrived. A contingent of Estonian soldiers was already in place, receiving final instructions for their duties. We were there very early (as usual!) and as the small crowd grew we were surprised at the level of interest. It was not the size of the crowd (probably around 100) but the diversity of attendees which surprised us. Representatives of various national Embassies, along with their military attachés’, mingled with British ex-pats who had travelled to Tallinn from around the country. The variety of uniforms was fascinating. Camera crews and photographers from national TV and media busied themselves getting shots.  There was a surprisingly high level of interest for what was a numerically small affair.

The Last Post - played by an Estonian military bandsman

It was very nice that our Salvation Army uniforms were so readily recognised – and not just by the Brits. The usual ‘I won’t forget what the Sally Army did for me’, was replaced by ‘I didn’t know the Sally Army was in Estonia – what are you doing here?’ It provided an unexpected opportunity to explain our role and a little about the ministry of the‘Paasetearmee’ in Estonia.

It was a powerful reminder that we Brits are just one of many nations touched by the suffering of war. The tombstones at which the wreaths were laid by Embassy personnel honour the fallen from various countries. It was very moving to join with so many nationalities to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice ‘in the service of peace and freedom’, to thank God for the peace we enjoy now and to remember those many people around our world who still, today, suffer the indignity of conflict or who serve in Armed forces in those theatres of war. I silently lifted a prayer for many personal friends serving in the Forces.

Estonian soldiers guard the international memorials

I also lifted my thoughts to those hundreds of thousands of families impacted by the recent natural disaster in the Philippines; along with members of Humanitarian organisations serving the needs of survivors and, yes, those many troops who will be using their expertise and logistical capacity to search for survivors, assist the aid effort and help bring organisation amid the chaos.

A year on from 2012, our lives have changed. Tallinn’s military cemetery was a very different place to the Portsmouth Guildhall, but the sentiment was the same. Prayers that we will honour the fallen, remember their contribution to our ‘today’, learn from our past and work together for peace.