Anchored – Written by Jonny Stevenson

Remembrance.

It was an honour and a privilege for Officers and Young Men from 1^st Raffrey and 1^st Randalstown Companies to represent BBNI in the Muster at the Royal British Legion NI Festival of Remembrance, held in Assembly Buildings on Saturday 25^th October.  There was a programme of entertainment led by the excellent Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums of the Royal Irish Regiment which was enjoyed by all in attendance before the Muster and Act of Remembrance took place.

It was evident that the mood in the room had changed from one of light heartedness from people enjoying the various acts to appreciation for all those military, ex-military, civilian and youth organisations as they were clapped through the Muster, and finally to a more sombre mood as ex-servicemen and women stood shoulder to shoulder with family, friends and supporters to remember the service and sacrifice of comrades and loved ones. As the Last Post sounded, the silence began and the poppies fell, many stood with a lump in their throat and a tear in their eye as they remembered those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, whether in the green fields or arid deserts of distant lands or in the ditches and by-roads of our province. As the lone piper played the lament, I personally was reflecting on friends and family members who had so willingly served and those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice simply for wearing the uniform of the crown, so that we could live in freedom. We owe them a deep debt of gratitude. We must never forget.

When you pause in silence over this weekend and on 11^th November, take a moment to thank God for the service of so many of our countrymen and women who willingly signed up to selflessly protect those ideals that we hold dear. In the words of the Kohimah Epitaph, “When you go home, Tell them of us and say, For your Tomorrow, We gave our Today.”

I encourage you to reflect on the words of John 15:13 which says, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” This is indeed true as we remember those who died that we might live in freedom, but it also points to a greater sacrifice; the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus on the cross, to atone for our sins and to give us a hope and a future in eternity. May we be encouraged to keep on raising Generations of Christ-Like Men, who are fit for this world and for eternity.

Lest we forget.

Jonny Stevenson

Officer, 1^st Randalstown Company

BBNI Training Panel Member