West Lothian schoolchildren recently played a significant role in marking Remembrance Day at Bathgate War Memorial. The service of remembrance, held on Friday, November 8, was organised by the ASA Scotland Charity Chairman Cllr Harry Cartmill and Secretary Tommy Davidson. Among the participants were students and teachers from various schools including St Kentigern’s Academy, Bathgate Academy, St Mary’s Primary, Boghall Primary, St Columba’s Primary, Windyknowe Primary, and Balbardie Primary.
During the service, the children were actively engaged in activities such as reading the names on the memorial and listening to stories about the Battle of the Somme, shared by Harry Cartmill’s family. Tommy Davidson emphasised the importance of understanding and acknowledging the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces. A special thank you was extended to local RAF Veteran Meg Stenhouse for her dedicated military service and research on the wars of WW1, WW2, and the Korean War in Bathgate and West Lothian.
The service included moments of reflection, with a moving poem read by Iona Gemmell from S1 Bathgate Academy. The attendees observed a two-minute silence to honour the fallen soldiers, express gratitude to veterans and their families for their sacrifices, and to remind everyone that freedom comes at a cost.
The event served as a poignant reminder that freedom is a precious gift that should never be taken for granted, with the message resonating that “we will remember them.”
In the midst of various school activities and daily routines, it is heartening to see young minds actively participating in ceremonies that honour the sacrifices of those who fought for our freedom. The engagement of schoolchildren in Remembrance Day activities not only pays tribute to the past but also instills a sense of respect and gratitude for the sacrifices made by generations before them. Such initiatives help in preserving and passing on the legacy of remembrance to future generations, ensuring that the stories of bravery and sacrifice are kept alive in our collective memory.