Tens of thousands of tributes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice have been planted at the National Remembrance Gardens in Staffordshire.
Officially opened with a service of dedication on Friday, 30,000 poppy tributes have been planted in the Field of Remembrance, honouring the memory of a loved one or those who lost their lives in service.
Forming the shape of one big poppy, each tribute carries a personal handwritten message.
Philippa Rawlinson is the Director of Remembrance at the Legion and told GB News the opening of the field is a “really important moment”.
She said: “The stories of individual service and sacrifice that are incredibly moving are planted here in this giant poppy, a sort of symbol of unity and coming together and recognising all those who have served our country.
“It’s a really important moment for us, and there is something really humbling about people choosing to place their tributes, their memories, with the Royal British Legion and then having them planted here for everyone to see on site until the 15th of November.
“People value the opportunity to come and to reflect and take some time out, but also to show, by donating for a poppy, that they are remembering somebody and they’re showing that our armed forces, that they care.”
Other Fields of Remembrance are also opening across the country in Gateshead, Belfast, and Cardiff.
Some of the tributes are planted for friends, others for family, but all of them bear a reminder we must not forget.
The money raised from planting a tribute all goes towards the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, which this year is shining a light on Armed Forces families, recognising the challenges and sacrifices they make in support of their loved ones who serve.
One of those who was helped by the appeal is former Chief Petty Officer Allen Parton, who was left paralysed after serving in the Gulf in 1991.
Also suffering a traumatic head injury at the same time, Allen was left with no recollection of his wife, Sandra, or his children, and spent the next five years in recovery. During this time, the RBL stepped in to support his family.
He told GB News: “It wasn’t until I was injured in the Gulf that I realised that when we lost our military naval quarters, the Royal British Legion rehoused my family.
“When my wheelchair broke one year, the hospital services in my area said there was no money for new wheelchairs. I rang up the British Legion and literally within 24 hours the order was in for a new wheelchair.
“Knowing that help is there if needed is half the battle.”
Allen also believes it’s the duty of armed forces veterans to ensure all those who have served are not forgotten.
He said: “Remembrance to me personally as a veteran is very important. It’s to remember those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice, but also those struggling on for when the guns go quiet on the battlefield.
“That’s where the battle with disability and trauma and bereavement just begins.”
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