Reflections on Remembrance Day: Jim Teather, Project Planner, M Group Highways

Remembrance Day is an opportunity to remember both those whom we have lost, and also a time to remember/reflect on those who are serving at this time.

All of us will have met people/friends/family who we served with on a daily basis, some of whom may no longer be with us physically, however they are never forgotten.

Whilst Remembrance Day is the publicly accepted time to remember them, and also the time to remind us of the loyalty and obligation that we all signed up to, we must not forget that although some paid the ultimate price for their service, there are many more who are still serving their Country and are worthy of being thought about, not only on this day, but whenever we are able to, at any point throughout the year.

My experiences, whilst poignant to me, are just a small part of the regard and respect that we owe our fallen, and our currently serving Colleagues. I have lost people whom I flew with, and worked with in other roles, and I remember them on certain days each and every year, not just Remembrance Day. Life’s pressures sometimes make it more difficult to remember all of the important dates in our lives, however things happen in my life that remind me of my friends, and I know that this will probably be the same for all ex-serving Colleagues.

I lost many friends/Colleagues in one crash in 1995, and another crash in 2006. I still take time each year on the dates of when they were lost, to remember them, perhaps with a small aperitif, bringing back to me happy memories which time will never take away.

Being an ex-member of HM Forces, serving in the military is a lifelong commitment, and something which has been instrumental in the way that I conduct myself, and something that makes me “who I am.” Despite what life throws at me, I try to face obstacles as opportunities, in the hope that I can feel that I have made a difference.

Despite the publicised act of Remembrance Day, I remember in my own way, something which is very difficult to try to explain, however it makes me feel better to do it that way.

Social media has been massively important in keeping the Forces and ex-Forces network strong. It reminds me when I need to be reminded, keeps me in touch with people who I haven’t seen for years, and reassures me that I will always have others out there who can understand and share whatever challenges I am facing.

I really believe that remembrance is down to the individual, to do what suits them when they need to, however Remembrance Day allows us to harmonise with the rest of the public in a general show of support, and respect.

All of my Employers, since leaving HM Forces have been more than supportive of Remembrance Day, and I still try to attend a local Remembrance Service, each year, on the nearest Sunday to the 11^th November.