What Remembrance Day means to me

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them”.

People that know me understand that as much as I'm proud of my previous military career, I will discuss it only when asked, regale when invited to do so, but don't walk round with my medals, tie and blazer on all the time; but this time of year is different - it is special to me.

It is a time for me to privately reflect, to remember my comrades, my brothers and sisters of my military family and to respect the ultimate sacrifice made for our country by some who I knew and many that I didn't.

I am a Veteran, and a Veteran is someone who at one point in their life, wrote a blank cheque payable for an amount up to, and including, their life. Regardless of personal political views, it is an honour to serve one's country.

I am proud to have served.

How does this fit in with my new career in the construction industry? Moving into an organised, structured and well-disciplined company has made my transition easier than first thought. Working with professional men and woman is great, we still talk the same coded language, we still have the same banter and all look after each other.

Working as a Health and Safety Mentor within O’Keefe, I feel highly respected for my past career and respected for what I bring to the party. Much of what I did in the Royal Engineers is transferrable to my current line of work.

“What Remembrance Day means to me” by Jon Chesney - O’Keefe HSE Mentor