SOLEMN crowds gathered at a rain-soaked War Memorial Park this morning to pay a poignant tribute to those who served.
Coventry’s annual Remembrance Sunday service was preceded by an awe-inducing parade from our armed forces, which began at Spencer Park and headed through the ceremonial gates.
The servicemen and women performed several war time songs during the parade including ‘Men of Harlech.’
When they arrived at the park, the parade was greeted by music from the City of Coventry brass band and a National Express Coventry bus with the words ‘Lest We Forget’ on the front.
The service was led by the Venerable Barry Dugmore, Archdeacon of the Diocese of Coventry.
He said: “We remember the huge sacrifice of those who served and their struggle for freedom, democracy and peace.
“Coventry has developed its reputation as a city of Peace and Reconciliation, this city is a bright beacon of hope not just nationally but internationally.
“It’s that commitment to reconciliation which has seen us form a long friendship with the people of Germany, and guests from Dresden and Kiel are present at this service today.
“As we commit ourselves to work for peace on Earth and reconciliation among the nations, let us remember before God and commend to his sure keeping, those who have died for their country in war, those we knew and whose memory we treasure, and all those who have lived and died in the service of humankind.”
The Exhortation was then recited by ex-serviceman Jim Ramsey, after which the Last Post was played to mark the start of a moving two-minutes silence, which was brought to an end by the Reveille.
Crowds then joined the Coventry Philharmonic choir in a performance of ‘St. Anne’.
Pastor Eniiwaju Etomi, the Senior Pastor at Holy Ghost Zone Parish in Hillfields gave a reading of Matthew 5:1-12, followed by prayers by the Roman Catholic Dean of Coventry, The Very Rev Canon Father Thomas Farrell.
Father Farrell called for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine and described Coventry as a ‘cathedral of peace.’
The Lord’s Prayer was recited before city dignitaries took part in the ceremonial laying of wreaths to the sound of the hymn ‘O Valiant Hearts.’
Among those to lay a wreath were Lord Mayor Coun Jaswant Singh Birdi, other Coventry City Councillors, West Midlands Police, West Midlands Fire Service, Sikh Union Coventry and representatives of the citizens of Dresden and Kiel.
Coun John McNicholas and his wife Dr June McNicholas laid a purple wreath in honour of the heroic animals that served during all conflicts.
And the service ended with prayers of commemoration, the act of commitment and the national anthem.
In a beautifully poignant moment, the gathered crowds broke out in thankful applause as our armed forces left war memorial park.
