November's Reflection from the Moderator
In the past, everyone wore the same simple poppy for Remembrance, crafted in Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh. Today, poppies appear in many forms — brooches, pins, knitted or sewn creations. Communities come together to build large poppy displays, perhaps inspired by the sea of red blooms that surrounded the Tower of London in 2014.
This individuality, alongside collective remembrance, reflects how we honor those who served. Each person remembers differently, yet all acknowledge the deep impact on communities from the loss of countless lives.
Address at the National War Memorial
Earlier this year, I had the honor of speaking at the annual service in the National War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle. Part of that address said:
This Scottish National War Memorial, built after the First World War, reminds us that it was everyone’s war. The books of names beneath the regimental memorials symbolize not just the lives sacrificed but the parents who lost a child, siblings who lost a brother or sister, partners who lost a shared future, children who lost a parent, and friends who were never reunited. It extends beyond individuals — it’s communities and workplaces missing a generation. The names inscribed are only the visible part of a vast story.
Reflection
Our ways of remembering may differ, but the sense of unity in mourning and gratitude continues to define this time of year.
Author’s Summary
Remembrance evolves through personal expression and shared reflection, symbolizing both individuality and the enduring unity of loss and memory.