November is the month of Remembrance. Remembering the lives and years of service of soldiers who have died fighting for this country. Commemorating the achievements of every soldier who has stepped onto a battlefield, giving their life for this country. Giving each and every serviceman and woman that minute silence they deserve. Annually, on 11th November, men, women and children stand in unity to give their respect to the soldiers that gave their lives in wars fought for Great Britain. It is a day which is built up with the sale and display of poppies across the country: a symbol of appreciation. Thousands of pounds are raised for the Royal British Legion, a charity which aims to provide help and welfare to serving and ex-service community and their families. All of this culminates into a big service at the Cenotaph in London which is always conducted on the last Sunday before 11/11. Appearances from royalty and government are always made, in order for them to pay their respects to the brave soldiers who gave their lives for this country. Wreaths are laid by many delegates and a minute’s silence is observed.

Many schools and places of work wish to hold their own remembrance ceremonies in order to personally pay their respects. Sutton Grammar School, for one, holds a remembrance ceremony annually, remembering those Old Sutton Grammar students who fought for the country. Each year names are read out by the heads of the ever-growing CCF and RAF and the head boy. A minute’s silence is observed and a wreath laid at the Sutton Grammar School memorial board.

But all this palaver, is it really necessary? In my opinion of course. It is important to remember that we are not only remembering people who opted to fight for this country but servicemen and women who lost their lives fighting for the freedoms we have today. It is also evident from the level of support at this time of year that the majority of the country think so too. The many volunteers who sign up to help distribute the poppies year on year is growing and it shows the increasing level of support for the armed forces. It is not only those who have died who are getting this support. Those who are currently fighting wars out in Afghanistan and Iraq are being supported thoroughly by the masses back home in Great Britain. There are an uncountable number of groups that have appeared on popular social networking site, facebook, giving their support to the troops.

This support is no longer one which comes from the serving families. It comes from inside each and every British citizen, even more so now that they have been educated about the level of danger and risk these men and women put themselves in when fighting for them.

It is important to remember, however, that we must maintain this respect and support at all times and not only during this time of the year. We must remember that we are only living in this free and easy society because of our predecessors who lost their lives for our good. We must remember that, today, the troops who continue to fight are doing it for us.