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The Northern Ireland Veterans’ Association Annual Service Of Remembrance
The annual service of remembrance to honour the fallen of Op Banner takes place every year. This year it will be held on Saturday, 20th September 2014 at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas in Staffordshire, just a few minutes off the A38 near Lichfield. Comrades meet from all over the country to mark the longest campaign the British Army (including Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel) has ever been involved in. A number of people begin the weekend by meeting in local hostelries to meet old and new friends.
The Saturday morning begins early for the admin team who meet up at the NMA to set the welcome table up, hand out the orders of service, sell blazer badges and the like and set up a small display in the visitor centre. Most people start to arrive from 10am, again to meet old and new friends over a cup of tea in the cafe or for a cigarette in the memorial gardens. Standard bearers get themselves ready, the Band of the Independent Kings Regiment Association tune up who this year will be joined by a number of former Light Infantry buglers and pipers from one of the Scottish regiments. Once the daily service in the chapel concludes at about 11.20-ish, members and visitors are invited into the chapel for the formal NIVA service which takes about half an hour. There is no pressure on anyone to go in, indeed, a large number stay outside just to chat over old times. Whatever suits, no rank or undue formality, just the respectful comradeship you’d expect.
The service is followed by a break of about 15 minutes then the Band and standard bearers form up under the beady eyes of a serving Warrant Officer to ensure good order! Anyone that wants to is then invited to form up and march (or walk) the 400 yards or so down to the Ulster Ash Grove. If you don’t, or can’t march, fine, make your own way down and we’ll meet you there. Dress is whatever you feel comfortable in, watch the weather forecast as it can be a bit parky when the wind blows and the site is rather open although there is a small shelter at the UAG. Some wear blazers, berets and slacks with medals, some don’t, there’s no inspection so don’t worry. We often host a group of Chelsea Pensioners and there is always a contingent from the Royal British Legion Riders branch. This year we are being joined by a group from Northern Ireland. Everyone is welcome, we even invite former terrorists nowadays masquerading as politicians although for some reason they never respond!
I host a short informal service amongst the ash trees planted for every life lost and as you can imagine, that’s a lot of trees and afterwards people take the opportunity to wander around seeing if they can find their friend’s tree. (Enquiries can be made in the visitor centre although not every tree is commemorated) During the service there is the opportunity to lay a wreath or poppy cross for those that want to whilst a piper plays a lament. (Poppy crosses can be obtained from the shop) The UAG is a special place for many of us. After the break we form up again and march back to the centre on the way saluting a relative of one of our fallen, last year it was the family of a murdered prison officer who were our guests.
That’s it, for those that want to you can join us for a sarnie and a pint at the RBL Alrewas club next to the A38, or you can stay at the NMA and have a good look round, it’s a big place or you can go back to your hotel and await the evening’s festivities with those that stay over. There’s no pressure on anyone to do anything they don’t want to. The point is to remember the fallen, how you do it is up to you, just be there and we’d be happy to welcome you. The admins and some members will be wearing their forum user name tags, come up, introduce yourself and say hello, it’s great to put a face to a name. We know it’s a big thing for some people, but try it, you’ll enjoy the day, enjoy the craic and most of all enjoy the people you meet, you’ve met them before but back then they were wearing uniform, just like you.
On1on
The annual service of remembrance to honour the fallen of Op Banner takes place every year. This year it will be held on Saturday, 20th September 2014 at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas in Staffordshire, just a few minutes off the A38 near Lichfield. Comrades meet from all over the country to mark the longest campaign the British Army (including Royal Navy and Royal Air Force personnel) has ever been involved in. A number of people begin the weekend by meeting in local hostelries to meet old and new friends.
The Saturday morning begins early for the admin team who meet up at the NMA to set the welcome table up, hand out the orders of service, sell blazer badges and the like and set up a small display in the visitor centre. Most people start to arrive from 10am, again to meet old and new friends over a cup of tea in the cafe or for a cigarette in the memorial gardens. Standard bearers get themselves ready, the Band of the Independent Kings Regiment Association tune up who this year will be joined by a number of former Light Infantry buglers and pipers from one of the Scottish regiments. Once the daily service in the chapel concludes at about 11.20-ish, members and visitors are invited into the chapel for the formal NIVA service which takes about half an hour. There is no pressure on anyone to go in, indeed, a large number stay outside just to chat over old times. Whatever suits, no rank or undue formality, just the respectful comradeship you’d expect.
The service is followed by a break of about 15 minutes then the Band and standard bearers form up under the beady eyes of a serving Warrant Officer to ensure good order! Anyone that wants to is then invited to form up and march (or walk) the 400 yards or so down to the Ulster Ash Grove. If you don’t, or can’t march, fine, make your own way down and we’ll meet you there. Dress is whatever you feel comfortable in, watch the weather forecast as it can be a bit parky when the wind blows and the site is rather open although there is a small shelter at the UAG. Some wear blazers, berets and slacks with medals, some don’t, there’s no inspection so don’t worry. We often host a group of Chelsea Pensioners and there is always a contingent from the Royal British Legion Riders branch. This year we are being joined by a group from Northern Ireland. Everyone is welcome, we even invite former terrorists nowadays masquerading as politicians although for some reason they never respond!
I host a short informal service amongst the ash trees planted for every life lost and as you can imagine, that’s a lot of trees and afterwards people take the opportunity to wander around seeing if they can find their friend’s tree. (Enquiries can be made in the visitor centre although not every tree is commemorated) During the service there is the opportunity to lay a wreath or poppy cross for those that want to whilst a piper plays a lament. (Poppy crosses can be obtained from the shop) The UAG is a special place for many of us. After the break we form up again and march back to the centre on the way saluting a relative of one of our fallen, last year it was the family of a murdered prison officer who were our guests.
That’s it, for those that want to you can join us for a sarnie and a pint at the RBL Alrewas club next to the A38, or you can stay at the NMA and have a good look round, it’s a big place or you can go back to your hotel and await the evening’s festivities with those that stay over. There’s no pressure on anyone to do anything they don’t want to. The point is to remember the fallen, how you do it is up to you, just be there and we’d be happy to welcome you. The admins and some members will be wearing their forum user name tags, come up, introduce yourself and say hello, it’s great to put a face to a name. We know it’s a big thing for some people, but try it, you’ll enjoy the day, enjoy the craic and most of all enjoy the people you meet, you’ve met them before but back then they were wearing uniform, just like you.
On1on
In memory of Private David James McCahill
Seriously though, from the responses received to date we look like having a really good turnout this year, I'm even ordering extra snap...
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