Remembrance in New Romney
Published: 11 November 2024
Thank you to all who took part or attended the Royal British Legion Service of Remembrance in the town on Sunday, and the Burma Star Service on Remembrance Day, today. They were both well attended, and moving services.
Read on for the Mayor's address and photographs.
The Right Worshipful the Mayor of New Romney's address in the service is as follows:
Good
morning to you all and welcome.
Thank you for attending this service.
Today, on Remembrance Sunday, we gather here at St Nicholas Church in New Romney with deep respect and gratitude. This moment is an opportunity for all of us to honour and remember the ultimate sacrifices made by members of our community, our country, and countless others worldwide who gave their lives so that we may live in freedom and peace.
Our thoughts today extend not only to those who have fallen but also to the service personnel who continue to uphold our freedoms. These brave men and women, on active duty even now, protect the way of life we cherish here in the UK. Let us also remember their families, friends, and colleagues, whose support and strength often go unseen but are equally vital.
As a community, we gather to recognise and pay tribute to those who have served, are serving, and those who laid down their lives for us. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving the memory of Armistice Day, not just for ourselves but for the generations that will follow.
Passing the baton of remembrance to future generations is essential. By teaching our children and grandchildren about the sacrifices made, we ensure that the lessons of courage, resilience, and unity in the face of adversity are never forgotten. It is only by keeping these memories alive that we prevent history from fading and honour the sacrifices that have shaped our world. We owe it to those who have served, and to ourselves, to foster a sense of gratitude and responsibility in future generations, so they, too, understand the importance of peace and the true cost of freedom.
As we begin, let us be guided by the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury, who reminds us that remembrance calls us:
“To build a future of peace and reconciliation, honouring those who died by committing ourselves to the cause for which they gave their lives.”
Thank you.
Councillor John Rivers
Mayor of New Romney
Photo's courtesy of Susan Pilcher, Littlestone RNLI and Victoria Harris
