A CALL to arms has been issued to residents to support this year’s Remembrance Day commemorations - after Sheffield’s Lord Mayor launched the Poppy Appeal in the city.
Sheffield and District Joint Council of Ex-Service Associations has revealed details of the traditional service in Barker’s Pool on Sunday, November 11, from 10.40am, which will involve civic dignitaries, veterans, cadets and representatives of local reserve forces.
Commemorations and services are also taking place in Chesterfield, Rotherham and Barnsley.
Vince McDonagh, secretary of the Sheffield joint council, said: “We are hoping for at least a couple of hundred people depending upon the weather.
“This year, the Sunday actually falls on November 11, meaning Remembrance Sunday and Remembrance Day events are being held together.
“We would welcome any members of the public who want to come along and pay their respects to those who have given their lives for our country.”
He added: “I think that Remembrance Day is more at the forefront of people’s consciences now because of operations in Afghanistan and in the Middle East, so we expect more public interest.
“Members of all the Territorial Army reserve units who will be present have served in those places.”
The Lord Mayor, Coun John Campbell, who will lay a wreath at the war memorial during the service, is himself an armed forces veteran, having served as a Sergeant with the Territorial Army’s 106 Field Squadron Royal Engineers, based at Greenhill.
Coun Campbell formally launched the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in Sheffield by purchasing a poppy outside the Town Hall on Saturday.
Members of the public are invited to gather for the Remembrance Sunday service in Barker’s Pool from 10.30am.
Veterans, cadets and reservists will march into the square at 10.46am and the Lord Mayor, Lord Lieutenant, Master Cutler and other dignitaries will assemble on City Hall steps.
There will be two minutes’ silence at 11am followed by wreath-laying and a short service with music played by the Salvation Army Band.
Afterwards, members of the public will be invited to lay personal wreaths.
PANEL
THE Star is answering the call to arms by urging residents and businesses to Remember our Heroes.
The Star’s offices will fall silent for two minutes at 11am on Armistice Day to pause, remember and honour those who gave their life for our country – and we want you to as well.
Tell us how you will be honouring the fallen and pledge to Remember Our Heroes by commenting on this story at www.thestar.co.uk, posting on www.facebook.com/sheffieldstar or tweeting @sheffieldstar with the hashtag #starheroes
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