As MP for a military constituency, it is an honour to have regular contact with the troops stationed in the area.  It brings home the reality of their dedication and sacrifice, along with the contribution they make to our freedom and security, which must never be forgotten.

 

I am writing this before Remembrance Sunday and will be joining the Mayor and local Councillors at the service of remembrance in Windsor.  Like most families this is something we do every year to commemorate those who have given their lives or been injured in the defence of our country.

 

Also, this week I had the immense privilege of meeting and seeing off the last leg of the March for Honour, which began at Victoria Barracks early Thursday morning.  Four teams of serving and ex-serving men and women marched for every British military life lost on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001.  They marched around 30 miles a day for a total of 250 miles, carrying forty pounds of equipment.  They left Windsor to march to London and I was extremely moved by their efforts as I waved them off in their fundraising efforts.

 

But as we remember those who gave so much for our nation, we must also think of those brave men and women serving today.  They deserve the best and my colleagues and I will continue to ensure that we give our committed and talented Armed Forces the support they need to carry out their duty.  It is our duty to do so.