As some of you know, some of my family were military and I have quite a few friends who were/are still in the forces.   I thought it would be appropriate at this time of year, for those who wish to show their respect and give thanks to those who have and do serve to have a thread to do so.     Please note, that if you don't wish to do so, that is fine too.       On a personal note.   Shoulder to Shoulder you stood tall, Shoulder to Shoulder you still stand. Thank you to all those who have gone and to those who still serve.  Your bravery is not forgotten.                                                                                                                                                                                        

Thank you Rowan, it is entirely appropriate to create this thread.

My Grandfather was in the forces, and though he died many years ago, I think of him  and  miss him every day.x.

For if it wasn't for the strength and  courage that he and others  showed  then, as they do even  now, we wouldn't have the free lives we live today.

My thanks to them all.

                                                                                                                                                                             

I too have family and friends who were/are in the forces, some of whom are still with us, others who passed many years ago.

It is important to remember that no matter how small or large their contribution it has (and still does) make a difference to the freedom the people of this Nation.

Stand proud, tall and (as @RB says) shoulder to shoulder. Thank you,.

This is by Wilfred Owen M.C., the most famous Old Boy from my Grammar School. He was killed in action one week (almost to the hour) before The Armistice. Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots, But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of gas-shells dropping softly behind. Gas! GAS! Quick, boys!—An ecstasy of fumbling Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time, But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime.— Dim through the misty panes and thick green light, As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. In all my dreams before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,— My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.   .                                                                                                                                                                             

My eldest son is out there now in the RAF.  Plus several of my family, past and present were in the forces.    |So yeah  totally for this sentiment.                                                                                                                                                                             

RIP and thank you to all.....

I have a son who is presently in the army cadets and desperately wants to go in...

And family that were..

XX
                                                                                                                                                                             

My dear old dad . Still very much alive at 89. Served during the second world war .

my cousin Carl who served in Bosnia, invalided out from his beloved army. Served and survived. Northern Ireland , with his Irish bride.

Tommy , shot and fell in NI.

Sacrifices that are not forgotten. Thank you all,x                                                                                                                                                                             

Good luck to those serving and God Bless to those who have served.                                                                                                                                                                             

My thoughts and respect go out to all who have served, both past and present.
We will never forget.                                                                                                                                                                             

    Yes thankyou to all who served and are still serving.... brave souls the lot of youse x                                                                                                                                                                             

Bumping this forward.....

Thank you to each of those who have fallen, to each who still stand and to each that will be. To our true heros.

in our thoughts, never to be forgotten, gratitude always gladly given to those who sacrifice so we can be.

Thanks RB.Other than long-lost great-great uncles that I never knew, I only have an ex-sis-in-law who served, so don't claim any connection with the military; but said great-great-uncles and all their comrades who served and fell in the two great wars weren't "military" - they were civilians who gave their all in defence of every thing they loved. Their sacrifice can never be forgotten.

Thinking of those who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe and the families that support them . Thank you .                                                                                                                                                                              

Never forgotten and never to forget.   Thank you to all that have gone, all that serve.

                                                                                                                                                                             

Never Forgotten, Thank you.

The little boy in the cadets is now training to be a soldier......                                                                                                                                                                             

Totally appropriate thread. Thank you for providing . 

Xxx Ne Obliviscaris xxx                                                                                                                                                                             

My Old Man was on destroyers during WW2,so some family link,not forgotten,dad,respect....                                                                                                                                                                             

Every day is Remembrance Day 
 
Shoulder to shoulder with all who served
                                                                                                                                                                             

During a 2 minute silence at the NMA at Lee Rigby's name a small child appeared with his mother, boldly looked at us, strode to the wall close to Lee's name, put his hand on the wall, turned around & while looking at us all proudly said that's my daddy, no need to say how we all felt needing tissues. Tomorrow i'm attending my local service. We stand shoulder to shoulder.