On Remembrance Day, Dean Russell attended a Service at the Stanborough Park Peace Garden, held in honour of armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.
In May 1916, sixteen students from the Stanborough Missionary College were conscripted to work during the First World War. Due to their religious beliefs, they refused to work on the Sabbath and were sentenced to six months hard labour as a result. In that same year, 130 Seventh-day Adventist conscripts, many of whom were from Watford, refused to bear arms during the war. The Stanborough Park Peace Garden was created in 2016 to mark 100 years of their principled decisions that they made in order to uphold the value of human life.
During the Remembrance Service, Dean laid a poppy wreath to honour those who sacrificed themselves for our freedoms. He also spoke during the service about the responsibility that each generation has to both take the time to remember those who fought in war, and to work to promote peace in our world whenever possible.
Dean was joined at the Service by the Vice Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council Cllr Annie Brewster, the Deputy Lieutenant Dr Amjad Hussain Shah, the President of the BUC Pastor Ian Sweeny and students and teachers from Stanborough Primary School.
After the event, Dean said: “I was honoured to have the opportunity to attend this Remembrance Day Service. It was a very moving service as we remembered those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We are forever indebted to them.”
On Remembrance Sunday, Dean attended a service at St Mary's Church, during which he did a reading and laid a wreath in memory of all those who have fought in wars. Later that day he also attended a Remembrance Ceremony at the Peace Memorial, where he laid a wreath.
