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The National Memorial Arboretum is 150 acres dedicated to the theme of Remembrance so in the centre of it,
its crowning glory, is the Armed Forces Memorial. But surrounding that is a wooded park of many different views
with many different memorials, some military, some non-military, but all of which have a national reason for being present.
Obviously it’s very important for the families of those who have been bereaved and a very moving time for them,
but I also think it’s very important for the whole country to understand the sacrifice of the individuals who sadly lost their lives
over the past year, and indeed for the whole country to recognise the importance of that
and the suffering that that then brings to the families in question.
It’s a deeply, deeply impressive and very, very moving memorial and I know nobody who visits it who is not moved in some way
whether or not they’veactually got a relative or a friend recorded on there.
But particularly for those who have got friends and relatives rthere, and perhaps even more particularly for those who haven't had a
chance to mourn, or a grave to visit, it is the most spectacular and wonderful place for them.
It gives people a real chance to connect with their relative or their friend and stand, be emotional, whatever takes them.
My name’s Susan Brailsford and I’ve been invited by the BBC to come and see my son’s name etched on the memorial wall.
He was sadly killed in Afghanistan in 2007, but he died serving for Queen and country and he died doing the job he was trained to do
and I'm very proud of what he was doing, and I’m here today to see his name engraved on the memorial wall.
I’ve had a look round the grounds, and the grounds are wonderful and the trees signify individual fallen soldiers
and I think it’s a lovely tribute to look at.