This Remembrance Sunday, I had the honour of attending Bridport’s Remembrance Parade.

Poignant moments such as this allow us to detach ourselves momentarily from the freneticism of politics and stand shoulder to shoulder with those with which we may otherwise disagree, in the unified act of remembering those who gave the most invaluable gift of all: their life, in the hope their fellow citizens could lead a more free and peaceful life.

The Reverend Pete Stone’s words during the open-air service were, I thought, engaging, and deeply moving. One of the stories that made a huge impact in my mind was that of a German Prisoner of War Gerhard Koch for whom the people of Bridport took a challenge to Parliament so that he could attend Church. They were successful, and the man was able to go to church, where he could soon see through the lies and propaganda that had been instilled in him by the Nazis. Gerhard became a reformed man thanks to the kindness shown to him by the people of Bridport.

I was also honoured to join the people of Beaminster in paying respects to their fallen heroes later that day, as well as laying a wreath on the Dorchester War Memorial. Another moving event was the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, which I was also fortunate enough to attend on Saturday.

I want to thank the hard work put into organising Bridport’s Parade, with special thanks to Brigadier John Dean who follows the stoic tradition of community stalwarts in Bridport such as the late Fido May.

Today, I will be with the Royal Navy off Portland coast as part of the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme, where MPs from all sides take part in activities within the armed forces to better understand the vital work they do in keeping our country safe.

CHRIS LODER

WEST DORSET MP