THANK you to all those who took part in or attended Remembrance events at the weekend.

The response in our area is always fantastic and shows that the sacrifice of our heroes will never be forgotten.

There were events the length and breadth of Torfaen, with residents young and old turning out in all weathers to pay their respects.

A bit of rain doesn’t scare off the people of Gwent!

Special thanks goes to those involved in raising funds by selling poppies.

The local groups do a great job and I was pleased to see so many schools get involved too – including West Mon, who sold me a lovely poppy towards their fundraising efforts.

Local youth groups and choirs also marked the occasion.

I attended an excellent concert on Friday at St Hilda’s Church hosted by Mello-D and involving the Griffithstown Primary School Choir, and the Garndiffaith Gleemen and Cwmbran Male Choir got together on Saturday to entertain us at the Millennium Hall.

As we pass the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, and those who served in that awful war are no longer with us to tell their stories, the involvement of young people to keep the memory alive is more important than ever.

Visual reminders are also vital, and the BBC documentary They Shall not Grow Old was stunning.

The remastered footage was so powerful and really brought home the horrors of trench warfare.

Colour pictures really showed the humanity and emotions of the soldiers, and showed just how young many of them were – some not much older than my own children.

The appalling conditions also made me realise how thankful we should be that our generations have not had to suffer in the same way, and how we should strive for peace in all we do.

As a child, I remember watching the last episode of Blackadder Goes Forth, with its poignant final scene.

That really stuck with me as I grew up – I hope They Shall not Grow Old helps the memory of those who fought in the First World War live on with future generations too.

Of course, as well as attending Remembrance services, people in positions of power must also do their best to ensure that those who have served in the armed forces and their families are treated fairly.

That’s why we’ve signed the Armed Forces Covenant in Torfaen.

Across our country, too many veterans are homeless or suffering from the physical or mental effects of combat without the support they should be entitled to.

Just as they did their duty by us, it is our duty to fight for them.