On Armistice Day, last Thursday, at the 11th hour, on the 11th Day of the 11th month, we united in commemorating 103 years since the guns fell silent in 1918, bringing the horrors of the First World War to an end.
Alongside the nations of the Commonwealth, we joined together to remember the valiant men and women of our Armed Forces who have given their lives in armed conflict.
In communities throughout Aberconwy, in a symbol of the esteem in which we cherish the memories of our fallen, there are memorials to our local heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our freedom.
Last year we marked Armistice Day under lockdown. It is with relief that there will once again be official ceremonies in Llandudno, Conwy and many other towns and villages in our constituency to remember our fallen, many of whom still have descendants in Aberconwy today.
Since being elected as your Member of Parliament I have been honoured to participate in the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme. I have completed a placement with the Royal Air Force and I am currently on placement with the Royal Navy.
Throughout these placements I have been inspired by the professionalism, commitment, fortitude and patriotism of our service men and women. The contribution of our Armed Forces to our national fight against Covid-19 has been invaluable.
Their logistical expertise was at the heart of our world leading vaccination program. Armed Forces personnel have operated and supported testing centres throughout the United Kingdom and our overseas territories (here in Wales and Aberconwy, military teams continue to drive ambulances to assist Welsh Ambulance Service Crews).
From the trenches of the Western Front and to the beaches of Normandy; from the South Atlantic Ocean to the skies above Iraq and Syria, our Armed Forces have proved time and again that they are the bravest of the brave. They are the very best of what it means to be British. And to those who have given their tomorrow for our today, we can never fully repay the debt we owe them.
As we marked Armistice Day on Thursday, today, Remembrance Day, we pause our lives to remember and honour what they have given for us. We stand united in our appreciation for all that our Armed Forces continue to do for us every day.
I will be wearing my poppy with pride - and with deep gratitude for what the sacrifice of others has secured for us.
We will remember them.