Bangor Rotarians have been told that the Rotary Organisation creates environments where peace can happen.
Speaking at the Club’s annual Remembrance Service, the President Bill Aiken said as a humanitarian organisation Rotary sees peace as a cornerstone of its objectives.
“We believe when people work to create peace in their communities that change can have a global effect” he added.
President Bill said Rotary refuses to accept conflict as a way of life and through its projects it provides training that fosters understanding and skills that help resolve conflicts.
By supporting peace fellowships and scholarships Rotarians play an important part in addressing the underlying causes of conflict such as poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of education and unequal distribution of resources.
The President pointed out that throughout the world seventy million people are displaced as a result of conflict, violence, persecution and human rights violations but the commitment of 1.2 million Rotarians to peace building, by creating greater cohesion and inclusivity, can have the greatest possible impact and achieve a vision of lasting peace
Welcoming everyone to the Remembrance Service President Bill said throughout history countless service men and women from these islands had answered the call to face hostile forces on our behalf.
From the trenches of World War 1 to the many battlefields of World War 11, and many other conflicts, the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women of our armed forces provided safety and security for those back home.
He also paid tribute to the RUC, the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment for the role they played during the troubles in Northern Ireland and he said the work done by the Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance staff and civilian workers should not be forgotten.
“Let us carry their legacy forward by striving for peace and unity in our own lives”, he said.
Morrell Murphy
Before the Act of Remembrance began President Bill paid tribute to the Club’s Honorary Member Morrell Murphy who sadly died on Remembrance Sunday, just three months short of his 102nd birthday.
He said Morrell died at exactly 11.14 as the last wreath was being laid at the Cenotaph in London.
Morrell served in the Royal Navy during WW2 and was involved in the sinking of the German pocket battleship the Graf Spee in the South Atlantic.
On Boxing Day in 1944 Morrell was declared lost at sea when the ship he was on was sunk by a German U-boat in the English Channel.
His family received a telegram from the King but days later Morrell walk through the front door of their house in Belfast. He had been picked up by an America patrol boat and taken to hospital in France.
The Remembrance Service
The Remembrance Service began with a prayer by Past President Howard Davidson, followed by the Words of Remembrance spoken by Past President Richard Eaton.
The Last Post sounded by bugler Des Hanna signalled the start of two minutes silence and following Reveille the Kohima Epitaph was recited by Past President Patrick Cregg.
As well as Rotarians the service was attended by family and friends and representatives of the five Probus Clubs in North Down.
After lunch they were given an amazing talk by Alan Cook, Past President of North Down Rotary Club who recalled the role all his family had played in WW2 but in particular his grandfather Captain Alfred Thomas Cook. He commanded the paddle steamer the Medway Queen which rescued 7,000 soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk over a seven day period.