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Good Morning. Growing up in the aftermath of the Second World War my generation heard an awful lot about it.  And we especially heard about the Battle of Britain which ended 75 years ago today.

Small boys like heroes and the war certainly provided those.  Among those heroes though a special place was reserved for Battle of Britain pilots; ‘the Few’ to whom, as Churchill memorably said; so many owed so much.  Victory in the Battle of Britain undoubtedly prevented an invasion of this country.  And the glamorous picture of the young handsome British RAF officer flying a Spitfire was a very seductive one for a small boy – as it was for the nation at the time.

It didn’t really matter that the picture was so wide of the mark.  Many of the pilots weren’t young; many weren’t officers, and many weren’t British; the legendary Spitfire was neither the most numerous nor the most successful fighter – that was the Hurricane.  But what does matter is that under the myths there are some much more important truths. 

The safety of the nation was in the hands of a small group of – frequently poorly trained – exhausted men – day after day climbing into their aircraft with every expectation that they wouldn’t be back.  They were seriously outnumbered and at the height of the Battle the average life expectancy of a Spitfire pilot was about 4 weeks.  That’s not glamour, but it certainly is heroism.   And that’s what today is really celebrating.

Jesus said that there was no greater love than that shown by laying down your life for others.  These heroes were willing to do just that.  I find that deeply moving and deeply inspiring.

Father we thank you for those in all generations who are willing to put their lives on the line to protect others.  Let this anniversary remind us that whether in war or peace, serving others is the most precious thing any of us can do.  Amen