On Sunday morning this week many people in Crawley, including myself, will join together at St John’s Church in the town centre to mark Remembrance Sunday.  On Armistice Day, the 11^th, I will also be leading council staff at 11 o’clock for a two minutes’ silence in the Town Hall lobby.

There have been many conflicts and wars in our history and no doubt, whatever our hopes, there will be more in the future.  We must remember. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends; they died for this country and those who live here. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our memory of it and what it achieved; our future is their monument.

These wars touched the lives of all ages, all races, all social classes. Fathers, sons and daughters were killed in action, they were wounded, and thousands who returned were forced to live the rest of their lives with the physical and mental scars of war.

We often take for granted our values and institutions, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice.  Those who went off to war in distant lands went in the belief that the values and beliefs that they enjoyed were being threatened.

By remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognise the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve. They believed their actions in the present would make a significant difference for the future, but it is up to us to ensure that they are proven right.

During times of war, individual acts of heroism occur frequently; only a few are ever recorded and receive official recognition. By remembering all who have served, we recognise all of their willingly-endured hardships and fears, taken upon themselves so that we could live in peace.

To al those marking it, I wish you a meaningful Remembrance Day and to all living veterans and active servicemen and women, thank you for your service to our country, past and present.

Cllr Michael Jones

Leader, Crawley Borough Council