It's tremendous to be part of full Remembrance Sunday ceremony again, says Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness
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Crowds turned out in the towns and villages of Caithness and north Sutherland to mark Remembrance Sunday in the traditional manner after the low-key commemorations of 2020 when numbers were restricted because of the pandemic.
Lord Thurso, the Lord-Lieutenant of Caithness, attended the ceremony in Wick. After a gloomy morning, the sun broke through to highlight the colourful flags held high at the town's war memorial and a rocket soared into the sky to mark the two-minute silence.
"It's tremendous to be back here in person at Wick, to see the full ceremony that we've been used to in the past once again, and to pay tribute to all of those who have given their lives in the service of the country," Lord Thurso said afterwards.
"When I stand there, I think of my grandfather who left from this spot in the First World War. Like everybody here, I remember all that those servicemen and women did – those who survived and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Silhouettes of World War I troops, created by Wick ex-serviceman Denny Swanson, looked down from Wick Town Hall and the grassy bank above the war memorial as wreaths were laid and the words from Binyon's poem For the Fallen were read aloud.
Leslie O'Neill, locum minister at Wick St Fergus Church, gave a reading at the base of the war memorial which was unveiled almost 100 years ago.
In Thurso, the salute was taken by Vice-Lieutenant Willie Watt.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Watt said: "The whole ceremony in Thurso was extremely well organised and it was good to see the volume of people that had come out to support Remembrance Sunday. It was particularly poignant that it was the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion.
"The veterans are getting fewer every year and I think it's important that the generations coming behind us can keep remembrance alive."
At the Thurso war memorial, the local Legion Scotland branch padre, the Rev David Malcolm, spoke of those who had “put aside their hopes and dreams to risk injury and death in service of a higher cause”.
Mr Malcolm, the minister of St Peter's and St Andrew's Church, reflected on the early remembrance commemorations in the aftermath of World War I and said those who had gathered around the memorial could feel “pride and honour” in the names etched upon it.
“Within many churches we have stained-glass windows which honour by name the men who died in war from their congregations – men who did not come back home,” he said.
“What anguish there must have been as in family after family a beloved young husband, father, son and brother was reported dead.
“They dealt with their grief in church in the presence of God, by setting up these memorials. They were saying to God that this untimely death had to mean something – surely their lives had value and worth.
“Today we can feel with them their grief and sense of loss. The horror of war was also fresh in everyone’s mind within the parish – every family was touched by the effects of war.”
Mr Malcolm added: “We gather today to remember the sorrow for the loss of the fallen and resolve that such carnage should never happen again.
“We also gather to honour all those who put aside their hopes and dreams to risk injury and death in service of a higher cause.
“Selflessly our veterans gave of themselves for the good of others. In this way, they are like Christ, who did not come to be served but to serve others.
“This Remembrance Day, we gather together to show our gratitude for their service. They fought for our freedom and gave the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.”
In his service, at Wick, Mr O'Neill gave a reading from Matthew 5:1-12.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
He added: "Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict and ask that God may give us peace: for the servicemen and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God. May God give peace.
"For those who love them in death as in life, offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss. May God give peace.
"For all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return. May God give peace.
"For civilian women, children and men whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity. May God give peace.
"For peacemakers and peacekeepers, who seek to keep this world secure and free. May God give peace.
"For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, political, military and religious; asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace. May God give peace."
