COMMENT: Veterans answer Remembrance Day call

When traditional gatherings for Remembrance Day were scuppered by the pandemic, we challenged people to come up with imaginative in ingenious solutions.

And the veterans of Seaham have come up trumps with a superb idea that overcomes the social-distancing issues, while still honouring the fallen.

They are to launch a 24-hour vigil in place of a Remembrance Day service in support of the Poppy Appeal.

“Stag on in Remembrance” - which takes place from 11am on Saturday, to 11am on Sunday on the Terrace Green in Seaham - will see 15 veterans take turns to stand on guard for 60 minutes before a “relief in post” exchange takes place on the hour.

Our fears were that people would defy the restrictions to show their respect on Remembrance Day. While we could understand their frustrations, the

But, as councillor Dave McKenna, who runs the Seaham Remember Them Fund, tells us today, his idea to remember the fallen solves the problem.

He said: “Of course we will remember them, but we also need to remember those who are still living who need the support of the Poppy Appeal at this time.

"It’s the best way with the lockdown and it will still be special because it will be next to the cenotaph.”

Veterans of Seaham, we salute you.