Take a look at the date at the top of this page.

Do you notice anything significant about it?

If not, maybe you should have a chat with Eric Avery.

Because the 11th day of the 11th month certainly means something to him.

Around this time of year, you'll find Eric selling poppies on the streets of Worcester for Armistice Day.

He's been doing it, come rain or shine, for the past 15 years.

This old soldier has now become another kind of veteran - a stalwart of the campaign to keep alive the memories of those who have died for their country.

But this year, the thousands of people who have bought a poppy from Eric over the years may have noticed something was missing.

For age has finally caught up with Eric, forcing him to sit out the street collections that have been part of his life for the past decade-and-a-half.

Of course, many people will not have noticed that Eric was no longer there.

Indeed, there are many people for whom today's date means nothing at all.

But it is precisely those people who could most benefit from Eric's presence.

Respect for those who have fallen for our freedom is often seen as a concern of old men.

But all of us, teenager of pensioner, owe more than we can ever repay to those who have died to make the world a safer place.

In today's article on page 12, Eric says how much he has enjoyed talking to young people during his time selling poppies.

Let's hope he has made an impression on some of them

Otherwise, when Eric's generation have passed on, who will they pass the torch on to?