Remembrance – My Letter to the South Wales Echo

Dear Editor,

Over the weekend I joined hundreds of constituents of different ages and faiths to take part in the remembrance services in Grangetown and on the Senedd steps. I was honoured to lay a poppy wreath to pay my respects to Merchant Navy veterans and all our servicemen and women who have and continue to serve in conflicts around the globe.

I was pleased to see local Cadets, Scouts and Police Youth volunteers pay tribute to  veterans as part of the day.  However the veterans who attended were the real centre of attention. Their stories are remarkable and too easily forgotten or taken for granted. Their sacrifice, loss and victory all helped to ensure that our country enjoys freedom and democracy today. It was a wonderful opportunity to remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives defending our country during wartimes.

I am delighted that a memorial to all BAME servicemen and women has recently been unveiled at the Welsh National War Memorial. I pay tribute to the wonderful Patti Flynn, a Butetown resident who has worked tirelessly for many years to ensure that the sacrifices of servicemen and women from BAME backgrounds will never be forgotten. I look forward to visiting the memorial to pay my respects.

Vaughan Gething AM

Cardiff South and Penarth

This letter appeared in the South Wales Echo on 13 November 2019.