Mansfield MP is proud of the town's support for the armed forces

Last Sunday, and again this Wednesday, the country will pause to remember the fallen.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Not just those in the two world wars, but also in all of our recent conflicts, who have given their lives in defence of our nation and our values.

A hundred and two years have passed since the guns fell silent in WWI and few among us still have that experience of living in those times, and with those terrors.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As time moves on it is ever more important that we teach our children of their sacrifice, of the nature of that conflict and the scale of the horrors that they faced, and of the need to be thankful and fall silent in remembrance.

Ben Bradley, MP for MansfieldBen Bradley, MP for Mansfield
Ben Bradley, MP for Mansfield

It is said that if those lessons are forgotten then we are doomed to see them repeated.

In remembering, we also protect ourselves for the future.

As a father of two young boys I have been talking to them this week about the Poppy Appeal, as I know many of our schools have also been doing, and explaining the meaning of our ceremony last Sunday.

Sadly this year things are a bit different, as Covid has forced us to make things smaller and safer than normal.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It’s been a challenge for the Royal British Legion and volunteers to get out and sell poppies to the same extent as normal and to keep the fundraising totals up.

In difficult economic times the need to support our veterans is perhaps greater than ever, so it’s important that we all still chip in where we can.

Click here to find out how you can still get poppies or merchandise, or make a donation to help them with their work.

On Sunday, I was at the civic ceremony at the council building and I know many people across Mansfield took the time to stop and reflect for a few minutes at 11am.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the national ceremony of remembrance still taking place at the Cenotaph, millions watched and paid their respects to the fallen.

I also spent some time learning more about the story of the Unknown Warrior who is buried in Westminster Abbey.

These are the kinds of stories that are so important for us to share.

I’m proud of the people of Mansfield who are always so supportive of our armed forces, and I want to thank everyone for taking part this week.

Ben Bradley is MP for Mansfield.