December article:
As ONS data from the 2021 Census revealed, we have 5,066 veterans living in Wrexham County Borough. For myself and the thousands of veterans, service personnel, and service families, the month of November is particularly prominent for us all in Wrexham. This time allows servicemen, women, veterans, and their families to come together and remember. Even though Remembrance Sunday has just passed, I thought it would be fitting to share in this article how I paid my respects on behalf of Wrexham in Parliament and locally this November.
As we approached Remembrance Sunday, I was delighted to attend the British International Tattoo 2022 - The North Wales Military Music Pageant - A Reel of Remembrance in aid of The Not Forgotten Veterans Charity. It was particularly exciting that Wrexham hosted the Tattoo once again, a truly unforgettable and uplifting event for many in the crowd. A particularly fitting tribute to our Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf so that we can enjoy the freedom we have today. A special thank you to all those who performed throughout the evening, bring on next year’s event!
I was honoured to plant my tribute on behalf of Wrexham in the Garden of Remembrance Parliament at a service conducted by the Speaker. Here I planted a tribute to Wales’ military history. This fantastic opportunity gives recognition, right at the heart of our nation in Parliament, to those that have bravely served our country.
Locally, I supported the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal by helping gather donations in Asda, Wrexham. Owain, a young child from Wrexham, gave me a hand-painted poppy rock to leave in remembrance of his grandfather at the Welsh Guards memorial at Bluff Cove in the Falklands when I visit later this month. The generosity of Wrexham people in supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal never fails to amaze me. Our city’s long and proud military history, coupled with our true sense of community spirit and generosity undeniably shines through as a beacon of light in this time of commemoration.
On Remembrance Day itself, it was humbling to attend and lay a Parliamentary wreath at the R. W. F. Memorial, Bodhyfryd in Wrexham, paying tribute to our service personnel past and present. Following every service on Remembrance Sunday in Wrexham, starting at Rossett, then Llay, Gresford, Holt, and finishing at Gwersyllt, I was privileged to lay wreaths to show that we will indeed remember them.
As always, if you are a resident in Wrexham and need my assistance with any local or national issues, please contact me by emailing sarah.atherton.mp@parliament.uk.