This November 11, some within the British community will also be joining with their Kuwaiti friends and colleagues in taking part in a ‘March for Honour’. Set up by former Royal Marine Commando, Ram Patten, who now lives in Kuwait, the March for Honour has in the past raised awareness about Remembrance Day and raised money for charities that support servicemen and women and their families.
This year though, the concept is slightly different. Ram and his team, supported by youth development NGO, LoYAC, will be speed-marching fifty kilometres, through the night, to raise money for charity – arriving at the Embassy on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. But whilst remembrance – including the remembrance of those from all nationalities who gave their lives during the liberation of Kuwait – is one aspect, the focus is wider.
The March is in honour of – and as thanks for – Kuwait’s hospitality towards the British community, and it is underpinned by the friendship, loyalty and respect that our two nations have towards each other. To me, this seems fitting.
And this takes me back to the eager young adults – of all nationalities – who we hosted at the Embassy earlier this week. They were keen to learn about the UK-Kuwait relationship, in all its aspects, and – at this time of year – they were particularly keen to learn about the links forged on the battlefield.
What this shows – and what the hard work that has gone into March For Honour shows – is that diplomacy, and the words I write in articles like this, can only scratch the surface of relationships between countries. The friendship, loyalty and honour that we see time and again throughout the UK and Kuwait’s long and close history is built on the work of individuals, from all walks of life. These are the ties that really bind us together.
Lest we forget.
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Always great to hear from you :O)