Toay saw thousands attend a Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying ceremony in Carlisle City Centre.
In attendance were over 100 military representatives, some politicians, and religious representatives, as well as thousands of onlookers paying their respects to those who have died fighting in countless wars.
Remembrance Sunday is, according to the Royal British Legion, a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
It is a day to commemorate those who have lost their lives on the battlefield, both old wars and new, and both wars we have been directly involved in and those we have not.
Indeed, it is poignant to be commemorating the occasion this year as war has caused needless death in Europe as Russia attempts to invade Ukraine, and our nation is welcoming asylum seekers who are escaping conflict that has broken out in their home country, those from Ukraine, the middle east, and beyond.
Laying wreaths at the war memorial in Carlisle’s Greenmarket were, among many other Cumbrian leaders and representatives, the Mayor of Carlisle Mike Mitchelson, chief executive of Cumbria County Council John Metcalfe, the leader of Carlisle City Council John Mallinson, the Mayor of Wigton Christopher Scott, chief constable of Cumbria Constabulary Michelle Skeer, and police and crime commissioner Peter McCall.
The Mayor of Carlisle led the wreath-laying ceremony, which was followed by a two minutes’ silence, observed by all present.
Speaking about the occasion, he said: “I was representing the people of Carlisle at such a monumental event.
“We remember those who have served and gave their lives so we can have peace and democracy.
“The turnout is absolutely fantastic, it’s one of the biggest I’ve seen for some time.”
Representing the Carlisle Gurkhas were Nick Tamang and Sing Limbu who both served in the Falklands.
Nick explained what remembrance means to him: “It’s all about remembering those who have died in the war and who have served in the war, I remember them myself, and it means a lot to me to see this today.”
Also among those who served in the Falklands was Tam Connelly.
He said of what remembrance means to him: “It means what it is, remembering all those that didn’t make it back.
“There are many that I have known personally and it gives you time to reflect on everything.”
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