The Rye Remembrance Civic Service is one of the highlights of the calendar year, bringing the community together as a reminder of how much has been given by so many for the sake of our future. The service began with a procession of representatives from all the emergency services, the Army, Sea Cadets, and RNLI and many more. The parade passed the Town Hall, saluting the mayor and his councillors with an uplifting and colourful array of standards. During the church service these standards are presented to the rector and blessed.
St. Mary’s was packed, with many people standing, and it was good to hear the newly re-founded choir sing so well. After the service the procession of dignitaries and standard-bearers walked to the memorial where two minutes silence was kept and wreaths were laid. This year there were fifty wreaths and one hundred crosses. It is very moving to see the youngsters honouring the valiant by placing their cross with care, an action handed down from generation to generation.
Anthony Kimber, planner and coordinator of the Civic Service, said afterwards: “There were more people than ever, of all generations, taking part in Rye Remembrance this year. After a parade and before the wreath-laying at the town memorial, the centrepiece was a service in St Mary’s Rye.
“It was pleasing to see so many young people from the uniformed youth organisations and the Cadets taking part.
“With war in Ukraine and the Middle East and conflicts in many other parts of the globe, Remembrance provided an opportunity not only to honour the fallen of those who have served to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life, but also to reflect on the impacts of war.
“At the town memorial, seeing the almost two hundred names inscribed, I was reminded that in May 1922, George V, on pilgrimage to cemeteries in Flanders, said: ‘I have many times asked myself whether there can be more potent advocates of peace upon Earth through the years to come, than this massed multitude of silent witnesses to the desolation of war.’”
Image Credits: Kt bruce .