Do you remember your first Remembrance Day service? Mine was well attended, stuffed full of people in uniforms marching around. Everyone who was anyone was there.

As a young child, I remember it being a very solemn occasion and one where my father, who served in WW2, was unusually quiet and reflective. My brother and I were hopeless at being solemn, as young kids we just couldn’t sit still and wanted to giggle at every opportunity. The old lady sat beside us, resplendent in her fur coat, helpfully fished out a couple of mint imperials from her handbag to bribe us, hoping to keep us quiet until the main service was over. But there came a point in the service which stopped my fidgeting in its tracks and has stayed with me my whole life. 

A lone bugler stood. A hushed silence followed and then he played ‘the last post’.

Looking up at dad, I could see the tears in his eyes before the hankie appeared and he swiftly mopped away the evidence. He stared unblinking into the far distance thinking, no doubt, of some far off country and long dead friends. He had served on an aircraft carrier which was part of the occupying forces in Singapore and Japan after the atom bomb had been dropped, something he only ever mentioned briefly. The horrors he must have witnessed and unimaginable pain suffered by the people are unthinkable to our generation. He, like many who have served in the armed forces, selflessly gave themselves to protect our values. 

The Last Post always gets you. Its haunting melody evokes a deep sadness in me for what mankind has done in its name. Millions have given their lives to protect our freedom in the UK. To free speech, to democracy, to equality, to wear what you want, to love who you want and to have freedom of thought. People paid with their lives and they deserve to be honoured and remembered.

In today’s troubled times, it is also a day to remember that sacrifice and not dismiss it. Facism is on the rise again, we are becoming a more segregated and divided nation and truth doesn’t seem to matter anymore. 

We need to challenge this narrative. The Fuze Foundation is all about valuing and respecting one another, ensuring equality and celebrating our differences. We are a counter to all the hate and divisiveness out there. 

On 11th November, I will remember those who gave their lives in armed struggle but I will also hope that the millions, if not billions of people, world-wide, who are good, honest, decent people, who share our values, will prevail. We do not need to sacrifice our children and suffer the pain of war, it is within our gift to stop it.

Next Steps

Take a moment today to remember someone whose story shaped yours. Speak their name. Share a memory. Tell someone what they meant to you.  Remembrance is an act of love.

And if you would like support in creating a remembrance ceremony, we are here to help.

https://fuzeceremonies.co.uk/funerals/

About the Author

Anne Widdop established The Fuze Foundation in 2012 and remains active in the promotion of the organisation. She is a Humanist and strongly believes in equality, diversity and freedom of expression. Although she is an atheist, she believes everyone has the right to choose their own beliefs and as a society we need to learn to live with and respect other people’s choices