The decision by Martin Morgan, Lord Mayor of Belfast, to launch the poppy appeal for Northern Ireland is yet another encouraging sign that this emotive and divisive issue is being addressed in a mature and positive way.
This move is in many ways a natural progression from the important bridge-building work laid down by his SDLP colleague Alban Maginness and Mr Morgan's immediate predecessor, Sinn Féin's Alex Maskey.
Mr Maginness, the first nationalist lord mayor of Belfast, attended the service of remembrance at the Cenotaph, while during his term of office, Mr Maskey became the first republican to lay a wreath in memory of those who died in the First World War.
These were both significant steps which just a few years ago would have been unthinkable.
This latest move indicates that nationalists are increasingly comfortable about acknowledging the role played by thousands of Irish Catholics in two world wars.
This is how it should be.
The relatives of those who lost their lives in these and other conflicts are entitled to remember their dead in a public way if they so wish.
For too long, the wearing of the poppy and services of remembrance have been regarded as the exclusive domain of unionists.
Unfortunately, nationalists who have sought to address this contentious issue in a conciliatory and constructive manner, have not always received the wholehearted support they deserve from some unionists.
Indeed, the carping of some politicians served to reinforce the views of those who believe that nationalists and republicans can never do enough to satisfy unionists.
However, it is important to focus on the fact that this is about men and women from all parts of Ireland who died in horrific and bloody conflicts across the world.
This is a sacrifice which deserves to be recognised.
Remembrance of the dead should not be a partisan issue.The progress made in recent times has gone a considerable way towards ensuring that this becomes the inclusive experience it should be.
