Why Remembrance Day still matters

Lance Corporal Mark Dryden thinks Remembrance Day is still important

As part of BBC Newcastle's run up to Remembrance Day, we ask, does wearing a poppy still mean something?

There is concern that as the veterans of World Wars I and II pass away, so does the importance of Remembrance Day.

BBC Newcastle's Caroline Henderson spoke to a a lecturer in British history and also a soldier from Berwick who's a veteran at just 33.

They both said on-going conflicts keep Remembrance Sunday an important day to appreciate our service men and women.

The nature of war may have changed since the first Remembrance Day in 1918, but as our veterans are getting younger, has the significance of the occasion changed?

Iraq and Afghanistan

Dr Martin Farr is a senior lecturer in British history at Newcastle university:

"There's been continuing concern that, as veterans of World War II die, much of the recognition of the Poppy Appeal would go with them.

Sundays are different in Iraq, they're really busy but on this day, it was so quiet. We knew something was going down but we didn't know what Lance Corporal Mark Dryden

"But now there's been conscious effort to get younger people involved and appreciate the sacrifice."

He added: "Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, albeit for upsetting reasons, have reinforced the significance of the poppy appeal."

Mixed emotions

Lance Corporal Mark Dryden from Berwick, 33, is one of the younger people who appreciate the sacrifice.

He lost an arm serving in Iraq in 2005 with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers when a bomb exploded.

Mark was driving the vehicle which triggered the bomb. His colleague Sergeant John Jones was killed in the explosion.

The red poppy is used as a symbol of remembrance

He said: "I had mixed emotions when I came home.

"I started to feel guilty, I had a bit of relief because I was still alive and I was upset that John was killed."

Having spent 13 years in the army, Mark was trained to assess danger, and knew there was something wrong, moments before the bomb went off:

"A sixth sense kicked in. Sundays are different in Iraq, they're really busy but on this day, it was so quiet. We knew something was going down but we didn't know what."

'We will remember'

Andrew Drake is county manager of the Royal British Legion in north-east England and said the key messages haven't changed.

"The passage of time has changed Remembrance Day, but we still focus on remembering those who sacrificed their lives, who've fought and suffered and those who are still serving today, that hasn't changed."

He added: "It's a way to support those who are facing danger now.

"Over recent years there has been fantastic interest in Remembrance Day and the money raised, goes directly to the soldiers and their families."

For Lance Corporal Mark Dryden, Sunday 8 November 2009 will be an emotional day:

"It's a really good thing for the troops, it makes you feel proud.

"Seeing the support of the British public, I do feel proud now."

The political landscape of war may have changed from conflict to conflict but what matters to veterans young and old is that on each Remembrance Sunday, in the words of Laurence Binyon, a veteran of World WarI, "we will remember them."