The National Memorial Arboretum, home of the Armed Forces Memorial

The centrally-located National Memorial Arboretum, home to the striking Armed Forces Memorial, comprises 150 acres of trees and memorials. It is situated near Lichfield and within the National Forest in Staffordshire. The Arboretum, which has seen the planting of 50,000 trees, was established in 1997 on former sand and gravel workings restored by Lafarge and leased to the Arboretum on a peppercorn rent. It is free to enter and has become a focal point for Remembrance. It receives many thousands of visitors throughout the year and expects some 300,000 people through its gates during 2008. There is a Chapel, in which a short, poignant service called The Homage is held every day at 10.50am. This service includes the Two Minutes Silence and reflects the whole ethos of the NMA. This is the only place in the UK in which such a service is held every day. Armed Forces Memorial The Armed Forces Memorial, dedicated in the presence of The Queen on 12 October 2007, is the UKs tribute to the 16,000 men and women who have been killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since 1948. Their names are inscribed on the giant Portland stone walls. The Memorial has been designed to allow a shaft of sunlight to fall across the sculpted wreath on the central stone at precisely 11:00am on the 11th day of the 11th month. The obelisk, which forms an integral part of the Memorial, is specifically dedicated to those who have died while in service. It carries the inscription "they died serving their country we will remember them". Uniquely, the memorial also recognises and acknowledges the courage of family and friends left behind. It is hoped it will play a valuable role in supporting the bereaved as they manage their loss through different stages in their lives.