VIDEO PEOPLE from across Suffolk have remembered the bravery of those in the armed forces as part of National Veteran's Day.The annual event, officially launched by the government this year, marks the heroic efforts of all those who have fought in wars over the past decades, from World War One to the Iraq War.

PEOPLE from across Suffolk have remembered the bravery of those in the armed forces as part of National Veteran's Day.

The annual event, officially launched by the government this year, marks the heroic efforts of all those who have fought in wars over the past decades, from World War One to the Iraq War.

In Ipswich, residents of the Vinnicombe Court housing centre, on Cambridge Drive, invited members of their community, including Ipswich Mayor, Inga Lockington, to their home to mark the day.

Mayor Lockington said: “Sadly, it looks as if wars will always be with us, it would be wonderful if they didn't happen but it's important to remember the people who give themselves to their country.”

Margaret Davey, the manager of Vinnicombe Court, organised a raffle, tombola, cake stall and refreshments at the home where 35 men and women live, half of which are Second World War veterans.

She said: “The day is about making people in the wider community aware of what's happened and what is still happening today as well as acknowledging the sacrifices of the ones that are still with us.”

Tony Booth, from the Chantry branch of the Royal British Legion, was a boy soldier in 1939 when he enlisted at the age of 16; he now hopes the event will become an important national event.

He said: “It's a chance for the community to say thank you to the veterans because they put their lives on the line in 1939 and in subsequent battles ever since.

“We mustn't forget the Korean veterans and those who fought in the two gulf wars and now Afghanistan and Iraq.”

The veterans present on the day included women from the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) and soldiers from Wattisham air base.

Marjorie Lambert, of Bridge View on Landseer Road, Ipswich, joined the Women's Royal Army Corp in Northern Ireland in 1953 and served for four years.

She said: “I have a lot of bad memories of my time in Northern Ireland but then again I had lots of friends and the companionship was lovely - I loved that about being in the army.

“This day is so important because people forget and I don't think you ought to forget, we should be reminded that these wars happened and that they are happening today and unfortunately, these wars kill people and destroy families.”

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