First World War centenary: How to SAY THANK YOU to our true British heroes
THE Royal British Legion has called on the country to say ‘thank you’ to those war heroes who served in the First World War 100 days before the Armistice Centenary on November 11.
Royal British Legion unveil sculpture to honour World War heroes
The Legion has launched an initiative to thank the First World War men and women who “served, sacrificed and changed our world”.
To begin the movement, the organisation created a ’Thank You’ installation, which is 52 feet long and eight foot high, on London’s Southbank.
The artwork by Sarah Arnett, has blank sides so the public can sign their own ’Thank You’ messages.
We all have a reason to say ‘Thank You’ to this special generation
The ’Thank You’ scheme will honour the 1.1 million British and Commonwealth Amed Forces who lost their lives in the war and those who served on the home front.
Director General of The Royal British Legion, Charles Byrne, said: “We all have a connection to the First World War, for me it is Private Ross Ryan, my grandfather, and we all have a reason to say ‘Thank You’ to this special generation.
“Whether your personal ‘Thank You’ is an event dedicated to those who made a difference in your community, a visit to a place of significance, or a simple tweet, there’s no limit to the ways people can take part.
“We are making a plea to every single person across the UK to get involved and take a moment in this very significant year to say ‘Thank You’.”
The charity wants the public to be involved and find different ways to thank the war heroes.
Many organisations are also involved in the initiative, including the English National Ballet, Cadbury and GCHQ.
The Legion’s art installation on the Southbank on August 3,4 will also tour other cities across the UK.
The public will be able to write their own message to the war heroes on the art installation.
Earlier this year, Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “On the centenary of the Armistice we will give thanks for peace and for those that returned, and remember the sacrifice of the 800,000 soldiers who died. This is the best tribute we can make”.
On August 8 there will be a service at the Amiens Cathedral in France to mark the centenary of the Battle of Amiens, which was a decisive point in the war.