Remembering Heroes

Attended the Remembrance Sunday commemoration in Whitehaven this morning.

The attendance was excellent and I was pleased that it included so many young people.

It is important that we remember those who have given their lives for our country, both in the terrible wars of the first half of the 20th century and more recently. Like many people I was struck by the powerful story of Staff Sergeany Olaf Schmid, one of the British soldiers who were killed in the last few days.

Sergeant Schmid was a soldier who saved lives: he had volunteered for bomb disposal work and during his tour of duty had personally defused 64 Talebin booby traps. The 65th killed him. He undoubtedly saved the lives of many of our troops and, almost certainly, those of many innocent Afghan civilians including women and children.

He was a true hero and his sacrifice, along with all those others who have given everything for their country and their fellow human beings, must always be remembered.

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