Armed Forces Memorial unveiling

[richnorri]

Hello everybody!

All Angels sang at the unveiling of the new Armed Forces Memorial this morning. Here is a report from InTheNews.co.uk

Queen leads memorial unveiling

Friday, 12 Oct 2007 13:52



The Queen has today led the official opening of an armed forces memorial in Staffordshire honouring more than 16,000 British troops.

The monarch was joined by her husband Prince Philip, her son Prince Charles, the Archbishop of Canterbury and leading figures from the armed forces at The National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas.

Dedicated to the men and women killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since the second world war, the foundations of the Portland stone construction were laid in January.

Names of all those who have given their lives are carved into the stone, with no mention of rank.

A number of memorials are already in place in Alrewas, but the one dedicated today is the first to also commemorate men and women who have died from terrorist action.

Speaking at the ceremony today, which also included an RAF flypast and live classical music from young girl group All Angels, vice-admiral Sir John Dunt, chairman of the Armed Forces Memorial Trustees, said he hoped the memorial would be "a fitting place to remember and reflect".

"There will be sorrow for family and friends who come here, but I hope they will also be uplifted and proud - proud that these men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice have done so by serving their country," he said on opening the memorial.

Prince Charles, who is the patron of the trust behind the memorial, spoke beforehand of the "enormous debt of gratitude" Britons owe members of the armed forces.

"We sometimes take for granted the expectation that our armed forces are professional, loyal and dedicated," he said.

"In reality our expectation is far exceeded. These men and women are prepared to give their lives defending our nation's interests and the freedom of others and yet their sacrifice all too often goes without recognition."

Prime minister Gordon Brown, MPs and about 3,000 friends and relatives of those whose names were engraved were also present at today's ceremony.

More information from The Royal British Legion:-

12 October 2007

Ceremony to Dedicate the Armed Forces Memorial

The Armed Forces Memorial is being constructed at The National Memorial Arboretum and will provide the first national memorial dedicated to the men and women of the United Kingdom Armed Forces (Regular and Reserve) killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since the Second World War.

The dedication of the Armed Forces Memorial will be an historic event. A ceremony to mark the occasion will be held at the Arboretum on Friday 12 October 2007 at 11:30am. The aim is to ensure that as many families and friends of those killed on duty, whose names are engraved on the memorial, can be represented. To achieve this, tickets will be allocated proportionately across each decade with a maximum of two per application. Tickets are limited so apply without delay.

Application Form is available from the Armed Forces Memorial website. Closing date for applications is 14 September 2007.

Richard

[richnorri]

Here's another report from News Letter.

Queen pays tribute to lost troops

THE Queen took a private moment yesterday to pay tribute to her cousin, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was killed by an IRA bomb, as she dedicated a new monument to the thousands of servicemen and women killed since the end of the Second World War.

The Queen examined Earl Mountbatten's name carved on the monument in Staffordshire which honours the 16,000 members of the armed forces killed on duty since 1945, including all those who died during the Troubles.

The names of 59 former members of the services targeted during the conflict in Ulster are also included.

The Duke of Edinburgh, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall joined the Queen at the ceremony for the new National Armed Forces Memorial.

The National Memorial Arboretum, in Alrewas, Staffordshire, pays tribute to members of the UK's Armed Forces killed on duty or as a result of terrorist action since 1948.

CEREMONY

The royal party entered the ceremony as a military band, seated in front of the memorial's Portland stone walls, played the National Anthem.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, MPs and families of those whose names feature on the memorial watched as prayers for the deceased were said by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

There are currently 16,000 names carved on the memorial, with space for 15,000 more. It includes those who have died in Palestine, Korea, Malaysia, the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan as well as Northern Ireland.

REFLECT

Opening the ceremony, Vice-Admiral Sir John Dunt, chairman of the Armed Forces Memorial Trustees, said: "I hope that those who have been bereaved and colleagues of those whose names are engraved find this a fitting place to remember and reflect.

"There will be sorrow for family and friends who come here, but I hope they will also be uplifted and proud - proud that these men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice have done so by serving their country."

His speech was followed by prayers and hymns and a reading by the Duke of Edinburgh.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, led more prayers before the royal party were escorted to view the memorial.

As they did so, classic singing group All Angels entertained the audience.

TRIBUTE

A young girl, called Georgina, then read out a letter she had written for her father, who had died in conflict.

She said: "I am having a very nice time at school with all my friends."

Following the ceremony, which included tributes to some individual servicemen and women killed in conflict read out by family and friends, the Queen, dressed in a purple coat with matching hat, and Philip were escorted to their car.

Work began on the site of the memorial, designed by architect Liam O'Connor, in October 2006.

The memorial had the backing of the Prince of Wales, who is patron of the Armed Forces Memorial Trust.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

It is home to the Millennium Chapel, where a two-minute silence is observed daily in remembrance of those who have died in conflict.

A centrepiece of bronze sculptures acknowledges the courage of family and friends left behind, the Ministry of Defence said.

Almost £7 million has been donated by the public to construct the memorial, but a further £1 million must be raised to ensure it can be maintained.

The Armed Forces Memorial will open to visitors on October 29.

Last Updated: 12 October 2007 3:41 PM

Richard

[grant]

Hi Richard and everyone

The opening ceremony was shown on national and local news in the Midlands this evening.

Our local news programme at 6pm opened with All Angels singing "Songbird" in the backround. There was a very brief glimpse of them dressed in black and standing on the steps of the memorial.

I shall go see it when it opens as Alrewas is only a 30 minute drive for me.

Best wishes
Grant

[richnorri]

Hello again everybody.

The Armed Forces Memorial has its own website: www.forcesmemorial.org.uk/



Richard

[chrisw]

Good morning all,

I've only just arrived home, but thought I'd drop this on quickly before I collapsed..




~Chris

[richnorri]

Well done Chris! :applaud:

Please tell us more about All Angels' performance.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[Dave]

Great photo Chris, glad you were there, look forward to reading your report

Hey Grant, remember this?

Charlotte, Laura, Daisy and a bit of Melanie!

I can get a slightly better quality version of this photo, I'll replace it later today.

There is the Central News report (from which I captured the photo) and a special report too, in which All Angels can be heard clearly and without commentary (but not seen) singing quite a lot of "Sancte Deus (Nimrod)". I had to record this off the Internet by devious means - and the video and audio separately - so I have some work to do before I can post it. Watch this space.

However... you can watch both reports in full at www.itvlocal.com/central/news/ - click on Local News then Central Tonight (West) Friday (West because it's the first item... after the ad and intro.). Click on News Extra to get the separate special report (also after an ad!).

If anyone managed to record this at home, please say so, as the quality would be better than mine... and if in widescreen format, all the girls should appear in the shot.

Cheers, Dave

[chrisw]

Dave,

How about these?

The dedication of the Armed Forces Memorial





The Royal Standard, and All Angels seated


HM The Queen and Prince Phillip returning to their car, with All Angels looking on


HM The Queen leaving the red tent, followed by Prince Phillip


The girls talking to The Archbishop of Canterbury inside the red tent

[chrisw]

Inside the red tent, Gordon Brown talking with the Winchester Cathedral Choristers


The Armed Forces Memorial

[Joe]

Hello Chris,

Again, I am impressed with your contribution. A fitting tribute to Britain's bravest.

[grant]

Hi Chris

Great pictures! Thanks so much for sharing.

Best wishes
Grant

[chrisw]

Morning all,

I did think about writing something on the weekend, but then decided that as the MoD are quite happy to give me internet access at work, why not write it here on their dime

A couple of weeks ago, the ships' company of HMS Forward, the Royal Navy Reserve unit based on Birmingham were asked if anyone wished to attend the dedication of the Armed Forces Memorial on Friday October 12th.

As I was planning on going over to Passchendaele the previous week, as a kiwi and to a memorial that reflected the efforts of the kiwis and aussies there in WWI, I thought that the Armed Forces Memorial would also be worthwhile to attend. I had seen it a few short months ago, as one of the senior staff at the Arboretum is an ex-RN officer and currently attached to HMS Forward as an RNR officer. He took several of us down there for the evening to look around, and I also had the pleasure of attending a formal dinner there a short time later.

Most of those who know me know that I tend to travel a lot. At the moment, I work near Salisbury, but live in Hampshire and the previous day I had driven up to York for a meeting and then down to Birmingham that night. We arrived at the Arboretum and proceeded to clear the multiple levels of Police security before arriving in the rather muddy car park and making our way through to the Arboretum and the stands where we were to be seated.

With me were two other members of the RNR, a very junior Able Seaman and a Chief Petty Officer whom I've known for a few years now. As we took our seats and looked through the programme, we explained what would happen to the junior AB, and it was then that I noticed that the girls would also be there. It was a pleasant surprise.

The ceremony took about an hour, with various speeches being given, and HM The Queen taking a tour of the memorial. It was during this time that the girls sang.

I'm not going to go too in-depth about this part as it was very personal to many of those present. There were military personnel, veterans, and those who had lost friends and loved ones. All of us were proud to be there on this day, and to know that we were supported by all around us. The speeches brought tears to many eyes as they were read out, and all stood to attention as the Last Post was played whilst those of us in uniform saluted.

Once over, we moved towards the red tent. There were two tents present, with HM The Queen and the senior attendees in the red tent, and Prince Charles in the green one with many of the veterans and those who had lost loved ones. As we were queuing to be checked and let in, Prince Charles walked past and he was saluted. I then noticed Steve Abbott with the girls, and went over to say hi. Steve suggested that I enter along with the girls, and I followed them inside ahead of my friends.

Over the next hour or so, we had the chance to chat briefly and I watched the girls talk with the Winchester Cathedral Choristers as I spoke with their escort. They were apparently very nervous and worried at having to spend so long standing there, but they performed well and I let the boys know this. The girls had been advised to stick close to the door as they would have the chance to be seen by Her Majesty as she left, and as we moved outside, they lined up. Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh walked past with smiles on their faces, and then as they walked past me, I came to attention and saluted which brought forth a nod of acknowledgment from The Queen before they left the venue.

It was nice just to be around the girls in a formal, but relaxed atmosphere. As Steve left, the girls followed shortly after saying goodbye to me. I have a picture with the girls which was taken by Steve, and some good memories of seeing them, and chatting with everyone.

Afterwards, I moved amongst the crowd, talking with various people before we were introduced to the architect, his wife, and their friends before they took us up to the memorial itself and gave us a brief tour. As we moved around, walking quietly among those looking for the names of loved ones, one of our number stopped before the 1982 Royal Navy section and paid his respects to his friends. As a veteran of the Falklands Conflict, this meant a lot to him.

During the day, I had the chance to salute HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, as well as Prince Charles, to meet the Archbishop of Canterbury, Gordon Brown, senior military personnel and to even see Penelope Keith as she walked through the tent much later after it had emptied out, and most impressive of all, to walk around the National Armed Forces Memorial and pay my respects to those who had given their lives wearing a uniform they loved and serving both a country and a monarch that they were proud of.

At Passchendaele, it meant a lot to have Caite with me. Last Friday, I had friends both old and new there, and it meant equally as much. As hard as it is to know that those empty tablets will one day be filled with names of those serving, it means a lot to know that they will be remembered.

We will never forget.

~Chris

[grant]

Chris, you've done it again! Another very personal and moving account of a very special day.

So far, I have only seen reports and pictures on the TV and, as far as the memorial itself is concerned, I think it is a most beautiful piece of architecture, standing high up as it does. I also feel that it's circular shape gives the impression of loving arms reaching out and holding those named within as a mother would hold a new baby.

I reiterate, Chris, it is a privilege to know you; to have someone able to share these precious thoughts and memories with me and with others on these forums.

For those that do not have that link, it is easy to believe that it doesn't concern them and sadly, they will forget.

No Chris, we will never forget!

Very best wishes
Grant

[davemba]

I was at the dedication ceremony too, as my father is listed on the memorial. It was a difficult day for those, who attended, made easier by the ceremony, which was pitched at the right level. (Strangely watching the Archbishop of Canterbury, I couldn't help thinking of Rory Bremner's impression!). As you can see from one of the photos, the Angels sang while HM The Queen was up in the main part of the monument meeting representative families from across the decades. It could have been quite an awkward gap in the ceremony, but the ladies filled it beautifully and professionally in what were not great weather conditions (rather overcast and quite cool as you might expect in October). I hadn't heard words put to Nimrod before, but it works very well as the piece itself is a mix of sombreness and optimism.

It has taken me all this time to track down the group - I don't think they even had a proper mention by Huw Edwards at the British legion Festival last Saturday. Anyway, thanks very much for a superb performance on a difficult day and I have your album on order!

[dazza]

Hi Dave?,

A huge welcome. It is great to hear that you tracked this forum down eventually.

I am also very happy to hear that you enjoyed the girls performance in what must have been a difficult day for you.

Dazza