With November the eleventh fast approaching it is good for all of us to remember those who gave their lives so that we can be free. WW1 1914-1918; WW2 1939-1945; Korean 1950’s; The Falklands 1982; Gulf Wars 1991 and 2003.
Despite this, for most, War is something that happens elsewhere, something that seldom reaches our shores or affects our lives.
I served 24 years in the Royal Air Force. I’ve received training on weapons use, defensive strategies and have served both in Iraq and the Falklands. Yet I too have not had to face the sheer horrors that many of my long-gone uncles would have endured in World War II. 62 years have passed since that horrific event so it seems timely that two WW2 mines have had to be blown up of the shores of Margate. On the 3rd of November 2007 I was sat at home as the house shook, explosive experts had just safely blown a mine out at sea. I was told the house shook more vigorously when the first mine was exploded a week ago or so. Neighbours poured out on the street and even though I wasn’t at home on that occasion I was able to hear the bang in Broadstairs.
So remember the freedoms we give away today came at a great cost. Allowing The Labour Party, Tory Party and The Liberal Democrats to hand power over to an EU un-elected body is foolish and irresponsible. The idea, Lest We Forget, is not just relevant on 11th November but always relevant. Let us turn this country around and hope for a better future. The only way to have peace is by living peace. Let us not lead this country into War again without good reason. Don’t let the business world use War as a tool for their own economic gain. War is a last resort.

As they say often in Churches around the world, “Peace be with you.”

By Trevor Cooper.