There was a time when, as a nation, we not only accepted the obligation of the Remembrance Sunday ritual but took a profound pride in doing so.

It was part of the culture we received, an inheritance we passed on to our children.

We remembered with gratitude the many millions who gave their lives for us in two world wars and in other conflicts since. We were also proud to display our debt to them by the simple gesture of wearing a red poppy and standing silently at 11am.

There was a time when, just for those few brief moments every November, we came together, emotionally, as a culture, to say thank you. We were grateful. We had not forgotten.

But so many of us have forgotten. So many, especially the young, do not understand and have never been taught.

So many, in these politically correct times, regard it as some kind of celebration of war, a jingoistic display of the glory of killing.

Perhaps worst of all are those who are just too apathetic. For that is the kind of nation we have largely become.

Most TV programme presenters, newsreaders and reporters have been wearing poppies all this week, as have most politicians.

Surely that should have reminded all who were not already aware, to buy their own poppies and wear them - with pride. Not so.

During a mid-week trawl through the centre of Brighton, I came across only a handful of people wearing them. And I can say with unhesitating certainty that on this coming Sunday the numbers attending Remembrance Day services around the country will be down on last year.

With equal certainty, I can say that at 11am on Sunday, supermarkets and large stores will be filled with busy shoppers, looking for food and early Christmas bargains, who will not give this solemn moment in the nation's calendar a second's thought.

It is the way we are.

There are those who would argue that now we have become a multicultural society with so many citizens having no concept of even our recent history, it is inappropriate to perform such an act of national homage.

As a so-called inclusive nation, they would say such an act of remembrance would exclude these new Britons. It is a contemptible argument.

Those who have chosen to come from other cultures, to live among us must acknowledge and respect the culture of their hosts.

A nation which cannot wholeheartedly show its gratitude, just once a year, to those men and women who sacrificed themselves for our future, is truly a nation in decay.

I am heartened by the story of a friend, a young mother with a daughter who is almost four. She and her partner have bought a poppy for their daughter each year.

This year she will be old enough to begin to understand why.

It is just to say: "Thank you. We have not forgotten."