A former Royal Engineer from Breadsall who enlisted in the Armed Forces said he would shed a tear on Armistice Day - 11th November - at 11am.
Graham Bradbury has served in Northern Ireland and the Falklands and has, this week, been laying poppy crosses at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas.
Armistice Day is held to remember those who died in conflict serving their country and marks the end of the First World War in 1918.
He said that Armistice Day is a chance to say 'thank you' to his comrades who laid down their lives for their country. He said: "It is very significant, and I'd like to say 'thank you' to all the people who contribute, even it is is just a prayer at their own Memorial, to say 'thank you' to those guys and lasses who put down their lives for the country - our country."