The town of Watford in England and the town of Wick in Scotland are both commemorating the sacrifices made by soldiers in World War I and other conflicts. In Watford, the Remembrance Day events include a two-minute silence, a reading by the mayor and chairman of the council, and a parade and service for residents to join. The town has also set up silhouette figures of World War I soldiers as part of an art installation called 'There But Not There', and a statue called 'Unknown Women at War' to honor the bravery of women in war. The mayor emphasizes the importance of remembering the sacrifices made during the two world wars and later conflicts, and residents are invited to join the Remembrance Service on November 12 to pay their respects. Meanwhile, in Wick, Scotland, a bronze statue representing Victory and Peace is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The 8ft 9in statue, designed by Percy Herbert Portsmouth and installed by John Hood & Son, was unveiled on October 31, 1923. It has been a focal point for the town's annual remembrance commemorations and underwent restoration in 2018. The statue serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made in both world wars. In the Algarve region of Portugal, Armistice Day is commemorated on November 11th each year. The Royal British Legion Portugal Branch holds a service at St. Lukes Church, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and a two-minute silence. The event is attended by Simona Demuro, the British Consul for Portugal and Cabo Verde, and Clive Jewell, the British Vice Consul based in Portimão. Another service takes place in the West of the Algarve at St. Vincent’s Chaplaincy. The day is observed to remember those who lost their lives in the war and to raise funds for veterans in need. Approximately 158 boxes of poppies are distributed to various venues in the Algarve region. The article also mentions that seminars are available for those considering moving to the Algarve or setting up a business there, to answer questions about living and working in the region. [cd55fee7] [f4c1997f] [ddf4d1bb] [ddab913b]
King Charles III led a national memorial service in the UK to honor those who died serving the country. The event took place without incident, despite concerns about tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas war. The Metropolitan Police Service deployed extra officers to ensure the safety of the event and protect the national war memorial, the Cenotaph. The service followed a week of debate over calls to cancel a pro-Palestinian march out of respect for the memorial events. The march was mostly peaceful, but clashes occurred between police and far-right counter-protesters. About 120 people were arrested, and nine officers were injured. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak laid a wreath on behalf of the nation and emphasized the importance of remembering the sacrifice made by those who defended the country. Calls have been made to fire Home Secretary Suella Braverman for her comments about the pro-Palestinian march. King Charles III and other members of the royal family, as well as thousands of veterans and serving military members, participated in the ceremony. [085034df]
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) participated in a multi-faith Remembrance Service at City Hall to honor those who lost their lives in war and conflict, including 2.5 million Muslims. Zara Mohammed, the Secretary General of MCB, read a translation of the verses of Surah Ad Duha and offered a prayer for peace. The service was attended by various civil leaders, servicemen and women, and notable figures such as the Jamaican High Commissioner and the Chair of the British Red Cross. [a48e3525]
Two veterans, Mike Rossiter and Ernest Robb, were recently recognized for their roles in historic nuclear testing operations, receiving the first military medals issued by King Charles III. The ceremony, held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, marked a significant acknowledgment of the service members' involvement in Operation Dominic and Operation Grapple, shedding light on the long-debated health impacts of nuclear testing. Rossiter, who served as head air technician during Operation Dominic on Kiribati's Christmas Island, and Robb, a squadron leader and radar specialist during Operation Grapple, both witnessed the UK's efforts in nuclear testing firsthand. Many veterans and the I-Kiribati populations have reported higher rates of cancer, which they attribute to the nuclear tests. The UK Ministry of Defence maintains that there is no conclusive evidence linking radiation exposure from the tests to negative health outcomes. Rossiter views the nuclear tests as a necessary response to the Soviet Union's nuclear program, suggesting they played a role in maintaining peace for decades. The award ceremony not only honored the service of Rossiter and Robb but also reignited discussions on the ethical and health implications of nuclear testing. [39fa96ce]