Sunday 8th November 1987 started like any other Sunday. Churchgoers all over Ireland prepared as they always did for the morning Service ahead. Many wore a poppy in memory of those who lost their lives in World War ONE and in many conflicts since then.
A nine year old young lady in this town made preparations of a different kind. She was to be part of the GJAM early morning programme on radio Ulster. George Jones the host of the programme invited youngsters to be live reporters on his very popular show. They were to prepare a short piece advertising events in their town during the incoming week.
This young lady wrote asking to be considered and received a favourable reply. She was to take part in the programme for the first three Sundays in November. For the first and second weeks she was phoned during the programme and she gave her report over the telephone, and for the third she was invited into the studio to meet George Jones and his team, to see how the programme was put together and to give her report live on air.
On 8th November, her second day to give a report this nine-year-old mentioned that it was Remembrance Sunday the day traditionally put aside to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. The Poppies which are a symbol of the Charity run by the Royal British Legion are made by ex service men and women wounded in conflict. She went on to give details of other happier events due to happen in our town during the week.
When the programme was over our little family headed out to church sporting our poppies where we watched with pride while her dad a Burma veteran who carried the effects of war for the remainder of his life, laid the wreath at the church memorial tablet in memory of those who had given their lives in both world wars and in many conflicts since.
We arrived home in time to hear the lunchtime news and the horror caused by the Enniskillen Bombing. Many of you the world over will remember the face and words of Gordon Wilson, whose daughter Marie died in the bombing. She was not alone in death that day many families were devastated by death and injury.
War still rages in many parts of our world today. Such a waste of life and talent, how can we end it?