News Release

Church was represented at the National Service of Remembrance

      

On Sunday 10th November, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was represented for the second time at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in London. The Queen and members of the Royal Family were also in attendance as were parliamentarians, former Prime Ministers, Commonwealth representatives and members of other faith groups.

Over recent years Church members throughout the United Kingdom have attended and laid wreaths at hundreds of remembrance services. Many members have also been involved in collecting money as part of the poppy appeal. Remembrance Sunday services provide us all with the chance to remember those who have lost their lives defending freedom both in the UK and further afield. Initially introduced to remember those who fought in the first and second World Wars, Remembrance Sunday now also includes those involved in the many conflicts that have occurred since 1945.

        

On 6th June this year, the 75th anniversary of D-Day was celebrated to remember over  130,000 troops who landed on the beaches of Normandy in France. Strategically, this marked the beginning of the allies regaining control in Northern Europe and led to the end of World War 2. Having visited the Normandy area in August, Jane said, “The memories of what occurred there all those years ago have been preserved by the many cemeteries, memorials and museums in the area and they were with me as I attended the Cenotaph today.”

The Cenotaph Remembrance service started, as usual, with a canon firing in Horse Guards Parade. This marked the start of the two minutes silence where all in attendance bowed their heads to remember the sacrifice of those involved in conflict to protect freedom. The Church was represented at the Cenotaph by Jane Elvidge. Jane and her husband Paul, who also attended the service, are Directors of Public Communications in the London area. 

Following the service, 10,000 people directly affected by service with the Armed Forces took part in the March Past of the Cenotaph. These people included military and civilian men and women from the UK and commonwealth along with their bereaved spouses and first-generation descendants.

        

        

Jane said, “After a volatile and divisive year in politics, the service at the Cenotaph provided everyone with an opportunity to forget their political and religious differences and unite in reflecting on the sacrifices of those who gave their lives to protect our right to govern ourselves. It was good to be together with everyone and to see unity despite our differences as we took part in the service.”

Earlier in the year, Jane attended an Interfaith meeting at the Royal British Legion in London which addressed how to ensure that Remembrance remains relevant in future years.

It was acknowledged that the nature of Remembrance is changing as veterans pass away but that it still provides an opportunity for all to be included, particularly with the two minutes silence being powerful and uniting where beliefs differ.

With its 100th Birthday in 2021, the Legion aims to ensure that faith groups can help to develop a ‘shared remembrance’ where we are able to honour all those who gave their lives for our tomorrows.

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