Published: Wednesday, 12th November, 2008 12:30
County remembers its heroes
By Kevin McRoberts
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Sergeant Steven Coote, home from serving in Afghanistan, lays a wreath at the war memorial in Alva on behalf of the Royal British Legion.
Pic by: Jan van der Merwe
THE people of Clackmannanshire – like so many across the land – gathered at war memorials on Sunday to pay their respects to those who lost their lives serving their country.
This year’s services took on additional significance, marking the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War at 11am on 11 November 1918.
But also in the thoughts of many gathered in our communities on Remembrance Sunday were the thousands of British troops still involved in areas of conflicts today, in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Poignant tributes were laid at memorials in Alloa, Sauchie, Clackmannan, Kincardine and the villages of the Hillfoots.
And a few tears were shed by former comrades and loved ones as they remembered those who never returned.
Many organisations including the Royal British Legion, Boys’ and Girls’ Brigades, Scouts and Guides, joined church congregations and many others in paying their respects.
In Alloa, Provost Derek Stewart and Clackmannanshire’s Lord Lieutenant Sheena Cruickshank led the Remembrance parade and, following the laying of wreaths at the town’s war memorial, they headed to Sauchie to lead the commemoration service there too.
In Alva, Depute Lord Lieutenant Kit Gow and Councillor Donald Balsillie were joined by Sergeant Steven Coote, recently returned from service in Afghanistan, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Royal British Legion.
Many councillors, local dignitaries and Armed Forces veterans participated in the Remembrance Sunday events in their own communities, with the events of 90 years ago featuring prominently on each occasion.
The First World War – or the Great War – saw over 40 million casualties, including 20 million military and civilian deaths.
The extent of the devastation and loss of life reached even the smallest of communities, testified by the many war memorials in our towns and villages.
Of the 560,000 Scots who joined up, one in four lost their lives.
So while the official end of the war – Armistice Day – was greeted with exuberance, the initial joy over the ceasing of hostilities was quickly replaced by a strong sense of loss.
The huge sacrifices and the terrible carnage inflicted on the peoples of many countries left many with overwhelming feelings of grief.
The Great War of 1914-1918 was supposed to be the war to end all wars. Sadly, for the many millions who have lost their lives in the many wars and conflicts which have followed, and still continue today, that has proved not to be the case.
Even this year, the death toll continues to rise, with over 100 members of the Armed Forces losing their lives in Afghanistan.
And so, Remembrance Sunday remains as relevant as ever. While there are only a few remaining brave heroes from the Great War still alive today, there are many veterans of future conflicts who are deserving of our thanks and respect.
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