Letter: Remembering the fallen and helping victims of conflicts

"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."

In 2008 I had the honour and privilege of carrying the Standard of the National Service (RAF) Association into the RAF Church St Clement Danes in London on the 90th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force, and on Remembrance Sunday this year I felt the same honour and privilege when the Rev (Sqn Ldr) Richard Clements, RAF, allowed me to dip the same standard in honour of the fallen at the RAF Museum and RAF Cosford Remembrance Service.

With three uncles who served in the Army in WW1 and an older brother who did the same in WW2, all of whom survived, my stint in the RAF from 1948 to 1951 is of little consequence, but I and many other post war conscripts like myself are fully aware that more than 400 of our fellows paid the price of wearing a uniform and serving our country.

"We will remember them" is fine but we must also remember those who came back and who keep coming back from the horrors of conflict in remote parts of this troubled world. Many of them need help.

There are many organisations which help ex-service men and women, the Royal British Legion caters for all former service personnel and individual services have their own set ups.

The Royal Air Force has the RAF Association and the National Service (RAF) Association among it's support groups and has a saying –"Once RAF always RAF", and for many of us in Shropshire this is so true.

I belong to a NSRAFA group which has the motto "Together in Friendship" and which meets at 12 noon on the third Monday in every month at the Swan Hotel in Wellington.

If you have RAF connections why not join us one Monday.

Percy Woodhouse, Stirchley