Remembrance events are a time for reflection, for thanks and for respect for those who gave up their lives or suffered for the common good. This year the last soldiers who had fought in WW1 passed away and the November 11th remembrance ceremonies were held with astounding vigour so you can tell that we have not forgotten those who fought for us in the last century.

The modern wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have brought home just how easy it is to take our lives for granted, and as we reach the 100th death in Afghanistan in this year alone, there has been an outpouring of remembrance and thanks to those soldiers who still fight for our protection. At events held around the nation, people have been publicly remembering those they knew and strangers that have served, died or been injured in a war. At events like these we can feel even closer to the soldiers through Keynote speakers who can tell us of their first-hand accounts and touching words.

Keynote speakers are often thought of as third rate celebrities who will do any event so long as they are being paid. But keynote speakers who have served in the armed forces and experienced warfare, injury and battle speak at events like these. Listening to a man or woman speak about living through warfare and seeing their fellow soldiers die or be seriously injured brings it home just how dangerous even modern warfare is no matter how much technology you have.

However, the keynote speakers at these events will make it a speech full of optimism and hope rather than despair and sadness, because what we achieve on the battle field and what we have achieved, has shaped our success as a leader on the global stage. They demonstrate how our military efforts have made us one of the fairest democracies in the world and we keep on fighting to preserve our democracy from those countries that would see us fall.