By The Revd Canon Gordon B. Fyfe

Rector, St Columba’s Scottish Episcopal Church

The longer you live in a place the easier it is to cease to truly notice it. The buildings can too readily become like wallpaper: a nondescript background to the activity of each day. Only, perhaps, after being away for a while, and returning, are we able to see things anew and with the fresh eyes of a visitor.

Throughout the year our towns war memorials could, for many of us, as we walk our dog or stroll along the sea front, similarly become almost invisible. We might pass them by without too much conscious thought. This weekend, however, will see them decked once more in wreaths of red - decked with poppies that speak, more than words can, of the dreadful cost in human life paid for the liberty we now enjoy.

Once more ‘we will remember them’. We will not pass by without thinking; but will, in silence, offer our thankful respect to those of our local towns who gave their tomorrow for our today.

Re-membering is important if we are to avoid further dis-memberment of this world God has created and redeemed.

Remembrance is not about having been there; not about the reliving of our own experience. It is deeper than simply recalling: it is, rather, entering into, reflecting upon and applying to our own situation the awful events of past war and conflict. If commemorated sincerely and prayerfully the act of remembrance is powerful; powerful enough, indeed, to change us all for the better.