THE story of Second World War glider pilot Jim Hooper’s heroics should be an inspiration of us all.

We can only imagine the terror he must have felt as he flew into the Battle of Arnhem, a notoriously bloody battle.

But it was the bravery of pilots and soldiers like him that ensured the Nazis were ultimately defeated.

We must never forget the sacrifice of Allied soldiers from across the world during the Second World War. The world would be a worse place were it not for their actions.

Which means it is now more important than ever to celebrate the freedom we enjoy today.

Though the world is certainly not free of conflict, we do not have to fear bombs over our heads as our grandparents and relatives did in the ‘40s.

So let us make sure we have a positive and peaceful impact on the world.

Tensions may be rising on the global stage, but as much as there are rivalries and grievances between different countries, as citizens of the world we have more in common with each other than we do not.

The experiences of Mr Hooper should remind us war must be avoided at all costs.

He may have jokingly played down his experiences in a prisoner of war camp as “not very pleasant”, but it should be a stark reminder of the horrors of wartime.

And it should be a reminder of the importance of looking after our veterans.

The work Blind Veterans UK and the Glider Pilot Regiment Society do in supporting those who fought for Britain is hugely important.

We must thank these brave people for their sacrifice.