The public gathered in Darlington town centre this morning to observe a moment of respect for our troops this Remembrance Day.
Many Darlington residents gathered in the Town Centre on High Row to listen to a tribute speech delivered by Darlington Mayor Anne-Marie Curry, and take part in a two-minute silence at 11am.
The steps in the town centre were adorned with poppies and wreaths as people turned out to show their respects.
Mayor Curry was extremely pleased with the turnout and stressed the importance of remembering what soldiers fight for.
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She said: "It went very well, I was pleased to see more people here than last year because people were still frightened of Covid.
"To have the poppies [on the water area], it was wonderful to see.
"I think it's great that people are not forgetting the cost of lives that wars [have].
"We must be extremely proud of those people who selflessy put themselves forward to protect us and sometimes lose their lives because of it.
"I can't actually put into words the gratitude I have for all servicemen, particularly those that did not come back."
She said, in a speech given at a school earlier today, that she stressed the importance of remembering the sacrifice troops have made and how it is important to prevent future wars in honour of the fallen.
Adding to this, she said she was "proud" to be out supporting the veterans alongside the public who turned out in force.
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An attendee, who was in Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011 and knew soldiers who had died serving, was happy to see the support shown to veterans today.
She said: "Sadly, I met quite a few of the guys who were unfortuantely killed, my husband lost members of his regiment, they were in Iraq.
"It's very, very important that these boys are never ever forgotten.
"If it wasn't for them, where would we be. We can never ever forget."
As Darlington Clock Tower rang, veterans held flags aloft while trumpets played to mark the end of the moment of silence.
Many residents remained behind to thank veterans and talk to them about their service.
Here are some of the pictures from today's tribute:
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