ON Armistice Sunday I was standing with a group of veterans from the United Services outside the Punch Bowl, in Stonegate, York.

All resplendent in our blazers and with medals from past victories gleaming in the morning sun, we were waiting to form up for our annual march to the Cenotaph to pay homage to our comrades who did not return.

I was taken completely by surprise when a young and pretty schoolgirl approached me and holding out a folded white paper said "This is for you, thank you," and then ran off into the crowd to, no doubt, a very proud mum.

Slightly bemused I opened the paper up. It was a complete surprise and a work of art. Out of a green straw and various pieces of red and black paper she had created a bouquet of Flanders Poppies and had chosen me to be the recipient of her gesture of thanksgiving on this special day.

Forget all the protocol and the thousands of expensive wreaths being laid on Cenotaphs all over the world, this gesture was the supreme accolade of appreciation made to the Veterans.

From the last meeting of the Royal Naval Association, the members, on behalf of the United Services, send their appreciation and a big thank you to a very special young lady.

Bernard Hallas,

York Royal Naval Association,

Hawthorne Avenue,

Haxby,

York.

Updated: 10:50 Monday, November 21, 2005