Last updated 16:18, Tuesday, 16 September 2008

I WRITE in response to your article in Thursday’s Evening Mail, “Is wearing medals on Remembrance Day poppycock?”, written by David Pickthall.

Moreover, declaring himself as an anti-militarist, he suggests that the British Armed Forces have been misused in the past and concludes his argument that “less and less people are turning up to their community cenotaph at Remembrance each year”.

I wish to challenge his viewpoint.

The medals and the uniforms, which past and present sailors, soldiers and airmen wear, each have a meaning, a cost in human life and a tangible end result. When a civilian sees a Remembrance Day parade, the medals are a proof of the battle, the time away from home, the separation and the sacrifice of thousands at home and abroad.

The British Armed Forces are renowned as the most professional and the best in the world. This reputation has not been won overnight, but through many hundreds of years, forged in battle, wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

The people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, flattened by Hurricane Ike this month, will probably concur that without the support afforded by the Royal Navy ships Iron Duke and Wave Ruler, they would be in a terrible position. The population of the Falkland Islands, liberated from Argentine rule 26 years ago, are eternally grateful for Baroness Thatcher’s decision to despatch the Task Force to retake these windswept islands.

The congregation at Barrow’s Cenotaph each year seems to be increasing. With a significant proportion of British forces actively involved in operations within Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as posted throughout the world peacekeeping and guarding British interests, many local people know relations and friends involved.

Barrow’s Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph is a busy affair, with elements of the Royal Navy and the British Army, and the uniformed cadet organizations, whilst double their number are old servicemen and civilians, some with no military connection. Moreover the collection received by the Ulverston Royal British Legion last year was £16,000 and according to Mr Brian Ford “not just from older people”, showing the further care of old and young ex-servicemen following discharge, remains close to the minds of local people.The idea of a Remembrance Day parade without the campaign and individual medals, uniforms and flags should not happen here, or anywhere. We live in a society where the achievements and suffering of this generation in fighting for their country and against terrorism is large forgotten. Across the pond Americans cheer their servicemen on return from conflict and people stand silent as the bodies of the fallen are taken back. There is, and will always be, public support to remember the Glorious Dead, and not forget the achievements of sailors, soldiers, airman, other uniformed organizations and civilians from the First World War to present day operations in the Middle East.

SIMON SHAW

Holyoake Avenue, Barrow