Standing on the Italian Gardens, as Second World War aircraft flew overhead, I found myself reflecting on what service really means.
Like many people, my mind went to those who never came home.
The young men and women who left behind families, friends, and futures to defend our country.
I thought about the lives that have been lost in service of Britain, but also the countless lives that have been saved because others were willing to step forward when duty called.
And I thought about something we perhaps don't talk about enough: sacrifice.
Not just the sacrifice made in moments of conflict, but the quieter sacrifices too.
Time away from family.
Missed birthdays.
Missed Christmases.
Long deployments.
The uncertainty that military families live with every day.
The commitment to serve something bigger than yourself.
That spirit of service has helped shape our country for generations.
It's one of the reasons I've been so proud to take part in the Parliamentary Armed Forces Scheme.
The scheme gives MPs the opportunity to better understand the realities of military life, not through briefing papers or speeches, but by spending time with the people who live it every day.
Over the past year, I've had the privilege of learning more about the Armed Forces, speaking with serving personnel and veterans, and seeing firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our military today.
The more I learn, the more I realise how important it is that politicians listen.
Too often, discussions about defence, veterans, and military life happen without the voices of those who have actually served being front and centre.
Yet some of the most valuable lessons I've learned have come not from reports or presentations, but from conversations.
That's why I've been grateful to work closely with Al Carns, whose service and experience bring an invaluable perspective to these discussions.
Watching Al engage with young people, veterans, and fellow parliamentarians has reinforced something I've come to believe strongly: we make better decisions when we listen to those who have lived the realities we're discussing.
I've seen this firsthand through my conversations with veterans across Weston and beyond.
Some have spoken about the opportunities and friendships that military service gave them.
Others have shared the challenges they faced when transitioning back into civilian life.
Many have highlighted the importance of proper support for veterans, whether that's healthcare, housing, employment support, or simply ensuring their experiences are understood and valued.
Every conversation has taught me something.
It's also why I was so pleased to welcome Air Cadets to Parliament recently.
Watching young people engage with veterans and learn about service, leadership, and responsibility reminded me just how much we can learn from one another across generations.
The Armed Forces are about far more than defence.
They are about service, discipline, teamwork, and commitment.
The values developed in uniform continue long after service ends, benefiting communities, businesses, charities, and public services across our country.
Many of the veterans I meet continue serving long after they've taken off the uniform.
They volunteer, mentor young people, support charities, and play leading roles in community life.
Their contribution doesn't stop when military service ends.
As an MP, I want to continue listening, learning, and understanding how best we can support those who serve and those who have served.
Because supporting our Armed Forces isn't simply about remembrance, important though that is.
It's about recognising the sacrifices people continue to make today.
It's about ensuring veterans are heard.
While simultaneously understanding that the freedoms and security we often take for granted have always depended on ordinary people doing extraordinary things in service of their country.
As those historic aircraft disappeared into the distance above Weston, I was reminded that behind every chapter of our nation's history are people who chose to serve.
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