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Millions of Scots to honour fallen heroes

Scotland will pay tribute to the fallen British soldiers on Remembrance Day.

08 November 2009 07:00 GMT

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Millions of Scots to honour fallen heroes

Millions of Scots all will pay their respects to fallen heroes in Remembrance Day services throughout the country.

The war in Afghanistan has placed a greater emphasis on remembering the brave soldiers who have given their lives fighting for freedom.

The recent deaths of five soldiers by a "rogue" policeman soldiers were training in Helmand Province means Britain’s death rose to 94 this year and 229 since the conflict started in 2001.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he personally writes to every family who has paid "the ultimate price" in losing a loved one in Afghanistan in a radio interview in Glasgow on Friday.

"I always write to the family if there is any death or casualty that causes death in Afghanistan,” said the PM.

"I write to them personally because I think it is right that I acknowledge to the family, as I think the country would want me to do, the debt of gratitude we owe, not just to the individual but to the whole family.

"They have had to pay the ultimate price of losing a loved one in the service of our country."

Mr Brown also praised the Royal British Legion and the Help for Heroes charity which provides support for wounded soldiers.

He added: "I think Help for Heroes, the British National Legion (sic), all the different organisations that are there to help our forces and to show the support that the public has for our forces, are a great and central part of what we are as a country."

First Minister Alex Salmond will lay a wreath at Edinburgh’s main service at the Stone of Remembrance at the City Chambers.

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost George Grubb and the president of the Royal British Legion Scotland will also be at the capital’s memorial service. Glasgow will hold a similar ceremony in George Square, led by the Lord Provost.

Aberdeen's main Remembrance service is at the war memorial at School Hill in the city centre.

British Legion's acting general secretary George Ross said: "We are proud to play our part in helping the nation pay their respects."

Livingston SNP MSP Angela Constance said: "Scotland has a proud tradition of men and women serving in the armed forces. Remembrance Day is about remembering those who have given their lives in past and current conflicts.

"Giving your life so others at home and abroad can enjoy freedom and liberty is the ultimate sacrifice and that sacrifice should never be forgotten."
 

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