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Good morning.Ìý All of the current memorials and documentaries about the First World War have a very personal connection for me.Ìý A kind ex-soldier is researching the story of the Military Medal won by my grandfather in 1916.Ìý The medal has come to me…and I’m keen to unravel the background to it…since my grandfather never spoke about his wartime exploits, still less about why he had been awarded such a rare and significant medal.

I’ve noticed that about heroes and heroines…they don’t usually say much about their acts of courage, valour or sacrifice. On the contrary, they tend to be humble, self-effacing, discreet. Pretty amazing really!

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I meet lots of heroes and heroines in the course of my work – not all of whom demonstrate their heroism under fire or in the heat of battle.

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•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Children who care with endless patience for ageing parents in all the exhausting commitment of that.

•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Parents who look after disabled children and push and probe and drive and argue so that their child can get every help, support and opportunity.

•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Hard-working professionals in the caring services – nurses, doctors, social workers, police officers…showing compassion and respect – and not stopping to think about themselves.

•ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Fire-crew, life-boat crew –ambulance crew who go to places and situations most of us can’t imagine and wouldn’t want to…

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And individuals who themselves stand tall and brave when life hits them like a steam road –roller – and they could be crushed and become bitter, but they don’t as they deal with illness, unemployment, steep challenges that could break them, were they not so full of humanity, spirit and courage. They are all around us, the heroes and heroines.

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Lord, thank you for the human spirit, capable of such compassion and courage. Give me eyes to see, and a heart to wonder at the brave people I will meet today.Ìý Amen.