Thousands gathered across the borough for Remembrance Day services to honour the nation’s war heroes and pay their respects to those who have made sacrifices in defence of the country.
Representatives from the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force joined veterans and civic dignitaries for parades and services in Rochdale town centre, Castleton, Heywood, Littleborough, Middleton, Norden, Milnrow and Wardle.
Residents gathered as memorials fell silent, with the Last Post played at each service. Each included the immemorial words from Laurence Binyon’s 1914 poem, For the Fallen: “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 Armed Forces community, Members of Parliament, Mayor of Rochdale, council leader Neil Emmott, councillors, faith leaders, local schools and members of the public also laid their own wreaths and gave respects, following moving readings of The Kohima Epitaph: “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.”
Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Janet Emsley, said:
“It was a poignant and reflective day, as residents of all ages came together to pay their respects. In our remembrance we honoured the fallen, people of all faiths and no faith, from countries all over the world. Veterans span the generations, and members of the armed forces who have served in many different conflicts gathered at our war memorials to reflect and remember.
“Without the selfless dedication and sacrifices our armed forces, the freedoms, liberty and values we cherish so much would have been lost. Countless generations owe them a great debt. We never forget, which is why so many people, young and older, came together in such numbers to pay their respects to our fallen heroes. Side by side they fought together, they fell together and secured the peace together. We will always remember them. Lest we forget.”
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