As he holds his naval medals, Chief Petty Officer Bill Taylor's thoughts turn to comrades who did not make it home.
Thirty years ago Mr Taylor, 66, served on HMS Invincible during the Falklands War, surviving three terrifying exocet missile attacks from Argentinian forces.
Today he will be in Plymouth to join in Armed Forces Day to remember those past and present who have looked the enemy in the face and lived to tell the tale, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Mr Taylor, who lives at Truro, served for 24 years in naval communications.
He said: "It's so important the public doesn't forget what its armed services have done for their peace and security. The families of service personnel must also be honoured because they too make sacrifices."
While Mr Taylor has many memories of the battle three decades ago, his darkest hour must surely be the three separate Exocet missile attacks on his ship.
The ship, along with HMS Hermes, was a top priority target for the Argentinian warships because it carried Harrier jets, Sea King helicopters and other vital equipment.
He said: "We were really floating airports – without us the war could not have been won. We were prime targets.
"The first we knew they were after us was the cloud of smoke after the Exocet had been launched. The cry would go out 'Hit the deck! Hit the deck!'
"Then followed an incredibly loud explosion. Each attack lasted around half an hour. Lying there on the floor, my mind would be racing, worrying if all the hatches had been closed properly.
"Mercifully we were never hit and we lived to fight another day."
However, whenever the Argentinians were on the offensive, HMS Invincible would quickly be ordered out of the killing zone beyond the reach of the Exocets.
Mr Taylor said: "When facing the enemy the ship would be in a straight line to give them as little opportunity of hitting you.
"But whenever we were ordered to effectively turn and run that was potentially the most dangerous time because as the ship turned we were more exposed down the side.
"However fast we managed it, it was never fast enough – the fear was immense."
As a communications officer, part of Mr Taylor's grim task was to inform the captain whenever the Argentinians claimed victory.
He said: "I would hear the terrible news we'd lost one of ours before anyone else.
"Hearing we'd lost ships including the Sir Galahad, HMS Sheffield and HMS Coventry was hard.
"We should never forget those we lost, those who suffered dreadful injuries and those who made it back in one piece but have to live with the painful memories."
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