When we attend remembrance events we show our respect, our thanks and we reflect on those who fought and died for us. This year the last soldiers who had fought in WW1 passed away and the November 11th remembrance ceremonies were held with astounding vigour so you can tell that we have not forgotten those who fought for us in the last century.

However, not only do we remember those who fought in the two world wars, we also continue to think of the men and women fighting in modern wars in places like Iraq and Afghanistan and when the 100th soldier to die in Afghanistan did this year, there was an outpouring of emotion. At events held around the nation, people have been publicly remembering those they knew and strangers that have served, died or been injured in a war. At events like these we can feel even closer to the soldiers through Keynote speakers who can tell us of their first-hand accounts and touching words.

Most people think of z-list celebrities when they think about keynote speakers. However, there are members of the armed forces and everyday citizens that have personally experienced battle, warfare and injury who speak at events such as these. They make the reality seem even more real, they bring it home just how dangerous war can be, even with all of the technology and equipment that are used in modern warfare.

However, the keynote speakers at these events will make it a speech full of optimism and hope rather than despair and sadness, because what we achieve on the battle field and what we have achieved, has shaped our success as a leader on the global stage. The enemies of democracy and the western way of life try to attack our fair democracy however our soldiers still fight to protect us from this.