AS most people are aware, this year's Remembrance will be more than usually significant, since it is the 80th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice.

We will remember those who gave their all, their lives, during the First World War, during the Second World War, in Malaya, Korea, Africa, Suez, the Falklands and Northern Ireland.

In remembering the dead, and WW1 claimed 723,000 British lives, we cannot forget those who were wounded, in body or mind, in all the conflicts since WW1.

Our freedom is their sacrifice.

In many institutions all over Britain, the blinded, maimed and mentally scarred are cared for.

They were fine when they went to war as young men, mere youths. No one told them they would spend the rest of their lives, without sight and without limbs.

It is so easy for us to pass over their sufferings, not to want to know. Many of us cannot be truly caring unless we have suffered ourselves.

It is difficult to understand pain, unless we have had it ourselves. The men and women who sustained lifelong wounds and hurt know! The families of those who died know!

It is easy for us to shrug our shoulders and say it all happened a long time ago and what we want is peace.

We do not achieve peace without sacrifice. The incredible human sacrifice of all of the conflicts this century, but especially of World War One serves as a reminder to all, but only if they really notice.

The Royal British Legion is the main ex-Servicemen's organisation dedicated to alleviating the needs of those maimed in war and to aiding their dependants. Servicemen and servicewomen, now left the Services, know they can depend on the Royal British Legion for help.

The RBL, however, cannot help them, if we do not support its work, by giving as much as we can afford to the Poppy Appeal.

Thank God, most people are generous and the Legion is able to carry on its essential, charitable work for ex-service people.

Last year, £17.2 million pounds was raised for the Poppy Appeal and almost £30 million went on Legion benevolent work as a result of over 300,000 calls for help from ex-Service people.

With my fellow Marlow town councillors, I will attend the French Armistice Ceremony in Marly-le-Roi, Marlow's twin town.

That will take place on November 11, 1998 and our own Remembrance Service in Marlow will be on Sunday, November 8.

I hope you will join us in prayer for those who now need our help and I hope also that you will give generously to the Poppy Appeal, so that we may realistically give help to those who have given so much.

In that way 'we will remember them.' Please pause to remember at 11am on November 11, 1998.

James Campbell

Mayor of Marlow

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