They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.’
The famous words from the poem by Laurence Binyon were words that helped cadets and staff from Melton Air Cadets stop and reflect on the sacrifices made by many who have lost their lives in conflict over the years.
Over the weekend of the 7th November, the Melton Air Cadets supported a range of activities marking Remembrance Sunday and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. The cadets gave their time to help remember the fallen by joining with cadets of the Melton Mowbray Army Cadet Force to sell poppies in order to raise money in support of the Poppy Appeal which supports veterans, injured members of the armed forces and families who have lost loved ones in conflict. Even though the weather was dreary, all of the cadets raised smiles from the local community as they sold the poppies with enthusiasm.
On Sunday 8th November, the squadron proudly again joined the local community including members of the Defence Animal Centre, the ships company of HMS Quorn, local British Legion and Royal Air Force Association representatives, Army Cadets, Scouts and Guides to parade through the streets of Melton and pay their respects to the fallen. In a packed Saint Mary’s church, Melton, thousands fell silent to mark the act of remembrance. Following the service, the parade marched round to lay the wreaths at the local memorial. In the evening, the squadron joined with many others to attend a service at Sage Cross Church, Melton, to again honour those who had fallen. During the service, the air cadets helped
by taking a collection and acting as an escort to some of the Royal British Legion Standards.
Cadet Corporal Joe Roper, aged 15, commented; “It was an honour and privilege to lay the wreath for the squadron. I am always so proud to be involved in Remembrance Day activities. To pay my respects alongside serving members of the armed forces and veterans reminded me of why the whole community come together and the importance of keeping the memories alive.”