Few young generations have escaped the ravages of war. Members of the present one are involved in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Young lives are being lost. Families are worrying, with justification. It has always been so. Earlier young generations saw action in the Falklands, Korea, Cyprus, Aden... The eras of total peace have been few and far between.
But two wars dominate the history of the last century - the First and Second World Wars that claimed millions of lives and took many, many thousands of young men and women from their ordinary homes, families and jobs, too often never to return.
Those who fought in the First World War, between 1914 and 1918, are very few and far between at this great distance in time. If their stories haven't been written down or recorded, or told and remembered, they are lost to us now.
There's a much greater chance of hearing first-hand experiences from those who took part in the Second World War, between 1939 and 1945. They're elderly now, in their 80s and 90s, and their numbers are thinning. But there are still quite a few of them around. Add them to those who have taken part in more recent conflicts, and there are lots of veterans who have stories to tell to the upcoming generation, and wisdom to impart.
Some of them will be on duty in Centenary Square for a special weekend at the end of June/beginning of July which will incorporate the Bradford Pals' commemoration event at the Pals' Memorial.
Saturday, June 30, and Sunday, July 1, have been set aside by Bradford Council as the Bradford Veterans: Remembered and Contributing event. Working with a steering group that includes representatives of the ex-Service associations and forces liaison representatives, the Council is organising a clutch of events which it hopes will "help the celebrate the contribution made to peace and democracy by members of the armed forces and provide an opportunity to showcase the continuing contribution of veterans to society and our community".
The stated aim of the event is "to honour and unite veterans of all ages, ethnicities and genders, to encourage cross-community interaction and to promote the value of veterans in society."
It promises to be a grand affair, with lots going on. At the heart of it will be a Veterans' Village in Centenary Square, where individual veterans' associations for all the armed forces can promote their advice and support services. There'll also be contributions from welfare groups such as the Royal British Legion and the SSAFA Forces' Help Society.
During the day there'll be a fly-past by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Three Chelsea Pensioners from Bradford will be making the journey from their London home to talk about their lives and times. There'll be a parade of standards and salute-taking and an interactive exhibition covering all aspects and areas of the Second World War, including the Home Front.
The Bradford Pals commemoration event on the Sunday morning, remembering the young men who fought and fell on July 1, 1916, at the battle near Serre on the Somme, will also include members of the Great War Society in period dress.
Other plans include displays of military memorabilia and vehicles, and a climbing wall staffed by a local army unit, performances by fire service, police and pipe bands, and demonstrations of how skills learned in the armed forces can be transferred to civilian life.
But basically it's a chance for young and old to get together so the young can learn from those whose past times were often tough and dangerous but who, fortunately, lived to tell the tale.
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