Suffolk comes together to commemorate Remembrance Sunday
This year's memorial will also mark the 100 years since the founding of the Royal British Legion
People across Suffolk are commemorating Remembrance Sunday, with parades and memorial services taking place in many towns and villages in the county.
This year also marks the centenary year of the Royal British Legion. We spoke to Alex Owen, Head of Armed Forces Engagement for the legion. He said: "The red poppy is a symbol of hope. It's a symbol that reminds us that actually, we never, ever want to be in a position where our young men and women are dying in numbers like they did in the First and Second World Wars."
That's where it came from and wearing that on your lapel brings people together. It unites communities, no matter which walks of life you have come from. Wearing that poppy is a real unifying factor across villages, towns and cities in the UK today and overseas" he adds.
In Ipswich, the local Royal British Legion chapter has organised a parade across the town centre, that concludes at Christchurch Park, where a two-minute silence is held at 11 am. It's followed by a memorial service, given by the Reverend Tom Mumford. He was appointed the vicar to the town's civic church, St. Mary le Tower, earlier this year.
" We are all one community of people, one country. Having these civic ceremonies is important not just important to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for us but also to remind us that we have more in common than that divides us", he says.
Martin Coombs is the vice- chairman of the Ipswich Royal British Legion. He says, " Every single year, since the Second World War, a soldier or serviceman has lost their life keeping their peace somewhere around the world. That to me is the significance of Remembrance Sunday".
This year's commemoration will also involve crowds coming back to attend the parades and services, with events in 2020 cancelled owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Rev Mumford explains why its important to have people back to honour fallen service people.
"Remembrance is something that we do as a community, this not just an individual thing. So to have the chance to bring everyone together, particularly veterans, to do this act of remembrance together and show love and solidarity is important", he says.
The day is also especially poignant for people who have previously served in the armed forces. Mr Coombs served with the 3rd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery between 1967 and 1975 in Northern Ireland and Germany. He lost two fellow soldiers in Northern Ireland.
"Today is the day I will remember my service, my dad who saw action during D-Day with the Royal Navy. I'll sit and think about this after the service" he says.
"I will always mark Remembrance day, no matter how old I get" he adds.