Remembrance: A Fantastic, Joyful, and Emotional Reunion

Remembrance is always one of the most poignant events in the Blesma calendar. This year, 60 members paid their respects in the commemoration at the Cenotaph.

Accompanied by thunderous cheering one minute, and absolute silence the next, Blesma members paid their respects on Remembrance Sunday. The 60-strong Blesma contingent took their place near the head of the parade to file past the Cenotaph in central London as thousands of spectators lined the route along Horse Guards Parade and Whitehall, with millions more watching on TV.

It is always a very special and emotion-filled day

Vivienne Buck, Blesma’s Chief Executive

“It is always a very special and emotion-filled day,” said Vivienne Buck, Blesma’s Chief Executive, who led Blesma on the day. “All our members have gone through some sort of conflict in an operational context, have lost comrades and friends, or know people close to them who have been touched by events. It is a privilege and an honour to attend.”

Members assembled at a hotel on the Saturday for a social evening before travelling into London by coach early on Sunday morning. “The evening before is a great social gathering,” added Vivienne. “The day itself is a fantastic, joyful and, at times, emotional reunion with former colleagues as the veterans’ groups form up, but when the parade starts the banter stops.

“From the moment we step off, the public is cheering and clapping. Blesma always gets such a resounding reception. We pass thousands of other veterans first, and their respect for Blesma is unbelievable. Then we reach the public, and the cheering and clapping is so incredible that it can be overwhelming for some.

“There is a stark contrast when you are ‘eyes left’ at the Cenotaph in front of serving personnel, and it becomes totally quiet and very poignant. It is a time for sombre reflection and remembrance. After that, the public’s cheering comes back. It is very moving, and there are many emotions as people remember operations they were on, where they were injured, or where they survived and others lost their lives; they remember other people who have passed, and all the time you are hit by the overwhelming support and respect from the public.”

There is a stark contrast when you are ‘eyes left’ at the Cenotaph in front of serving personnel, and it becomes totally quiet and very poignant.

Member Trustee Lisa Johnston, a left-leg above-knee amputee, was attending her first Remembrance Day parade with Blesma. “I felt very humble and nervous,” she said. “I’m clumsy and thought if there was a stone somewhere I would stand on it and fall over! It was such an emotional day, and the crowds were cheering and clapping loudly. But then the parade past the Cenotaph was eerily quiet. When the cheering started again, it really got to me, and I shed a few tears.”

Lisa, a former Combat Medical Technician in the Royal Army Medical Corps, who is now a Blesma Trustee, added: “It is difficult to put into words how incredible the crowds were and what a humbling experience it was. It felt like I was really part of something military for the first time since leaving Service, which was uplifting, and I was honoured to be part of Blesma.”

The day marked the end of a significant Remembrance period for Blesma that featured fundraising from members and supporters and the now-traditional welcome at a West Ham United football match.

Colin Branch, Head of Welfare Support, along with members Hari Budha Magar, Paul Findlay, and Spencer Bull, attended a Veterans’ Breakfast at No. 10 Downing Street hosted by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

“It was a recognition of the sacrifices of our Armed Forces and a chance for the new Government to hear from veterans and veterans’ organisations,” said Colin.

“It was a very respectful event and a positive experience for us to showcase what we’re doing alongside other military charities. It was good to show Blesma as a significant element of the Armed Forces community, highlight how we help our members, and explain how we can collaborate with others to improve things for the veterans’ community.”