Can I thank the Minister for bringing forward and leading this debate on behalf of the Welsh Government, and also for her personal commitment and long-standing commitment to the armed forces community?

Not a month goes by without a reminder of what we owe those who have served and who serve currently in our armed forces. The service they gave through COVID, the support they give whenever crises hit, and, of course, we remember every single year about the freedoms they have and continue to reserve. When we see the rise of fascism elsewhere in the world and the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the illegal acts of war there, we remember, don't we, that the world can be an extremely dangerous place. Those moments inevitably draw us to our memories, to all those occasions when UK forces have been called upon to protect all of our freedoms. We must remember that many did not return, that many were badly injured, and, of course, at this time of year, we pause to remember and reflect; we wear a poppy, and we importantly keep the history alive.

Llywydd, I would like to take the opportunity in this debate this afternoon to remember all of those from my community in Alyn and Deeside in particular, and to thank all of those who work with the Royal British Legion to go on and sell poppies, to raise money, and to organise events of remembrance and reflection. This weekend, on both Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday, I will be laying my own wreath and paying my own personal tributes across Alyn and Deeside, and I do that as a proud honorary member of the Royal Welch Fusiliers Comrades Association, Shotton and Deeside branch.

Presiding Officer, I'm grateful to members of the armed forces, in particular the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the UK army, who have allowed me and other Members of this Senedd Chamber not only to engage with them through meetings and the various engagement events that we have as a cross-party group, but in particular by spending time with us at their training facilities, just giving us a small glimpse of the stresses and strains they go through daily to protect us all and to serve on our behalf. I do pay tribute to the chair, Darren Millar, and the vice-chair, Alun Davies, for their commitment and continued commitment to that.

Llywydd, in closing, I want to thank all those who serve, who have served, and their families for allowing them to do so. We owe them everything. I also pay tribute to those who will go on to serve, to continue to protect our freedoms. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.