I was listening to an interview with a Normandy veteran on Radio Wales last Friday, who was talking about a comrade of his called Les Smith from Newport, who had been involved in the D-Day Landings 70 years ago to the day.

The interviewee was remembering him with great affection and pride, because he sadly lost him in action.

It remained unclear to me exactly what Les did, but we do know that he was part of something much bigger and that he made a difference.

Sadly, he paid the ultimate price, as did many from Wales.

Another veteran, 89-year-old war hero David Edwards, from Abergavenny, was speaking about having a school named after him in Commes, Normandy.

He is held in such high regard there for the relationships he has built between both countries and the way he has brought both communities together through education.

On one hand, we remember Les Smith, who I know very little about, but know what he, like thousands of other Gwent heroes and those from across Wales did for us. And on the other hand, we celebrate David Edwards for his ability to bring communities together.

While we are always striving for improvements within the economy, which is vital for moving forward, it is worth keeping things in perspective by remembering about the partnerships that heroes like these forged over the years on our behalf.

We are where we are because people sacrificed so much for us and it is important that we remember this not only in business, but in everyday life.