“Very often I ask myself why I’m still here and my brothers aren’t.”
Those were the words of retired United States Navy Captain Scott Reverie II who attended the Southwell Remembrance Sunday Service.
He, and hundreds of others, were gathered to remember the lives of those lost in warfare.
The service began with the laying of the wreaths and a speech from Robert Beckett, 85, and Secretary of the Southwell Branch of the British Legion.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Mr Beckett explained that the Legion wished to encourage everyone to “remember together.”
These words could not have been truer as the parade and its onlookers stood to observe the two minutes silence.
Attended by all ages, this was a moving snapshot of a community coming together to honour the fallen.
Local resident Rachel Kirk, 45, said that she found the silence to be “really moving, it was so quiet in such an open space”.
Inside Southwell Minster it was standing room only for the sermon.
Silk poppies fell from the rafters, in a symbolic moment of solidarity.
The entire Minster stood in silence to observe this beautiful moment.
It was a time of both community and reflection, echoed by Norman Wright, 80, who said: “We would not have had a future without the wars.”
Remembrance Sunday is a time for anyone to support and commemorate those who have been lost during war.
This was best summarised by Captain Reverie, who represented the US Navy at the Service and said: “I tend to remember predominately my family, I remember those who are still serving, wounded, who have post-traumatic stress disorder now.
"It’s always a place to remember fallen comrades, buddies. I miss them, the pain’s always there but you learn to live with it.”
