A service of re-dedication and remembrance
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| 1. The re-dedicated Normandy Veterans seat St Nicholas' Church Gardens, Whitehaven, Cumbria [Armistice Day anniversary, Tuesday 11 November 2014] |
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| 2. "In memory of all who died in the Battle of Normandy 1944" [The dedication of the N.V.A. West Cumbria Branch (No. 51)] |
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| 3. The N.V.A. plaque and tributes of remembrance [Armistice Day anniversary, Tuesday 11 November 2014] |
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| 4. Poppy crosses placed in remembrance of loved ones [The box contains sand from one of the Normandy beaches] |
For additional information click on 'Comments' below.
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posted by ritsonvaljos at 9:19 pm
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A service of re-dedication for the memorial seat
On Tuesday 6 June 2000 the West Cumbria Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association (Branch No 51) held a commemorative service for those who died for their country in wars and conflicts, particularly those who fell in the Battle of Normandy (June to August 1944). It was also the occasion of the unveiling and dedication of a memorial seat honouring those who died in the Battle of Normandy. The seat was installed opposite the Normandy Veterans plaque in St Nicholas' Church Gardens, Whitehaven, Cumbria.
Over the years it was found that the wooden memorial seat had deteriorated and the branch itself had been disbanded. Nevertheless, some of the surviving members, associate members and friends set about raising funds to replace the seat.
Its re-dedication coincided with a service of remembrance on Tuesday 11 November 2014, the anniversary of the Armistice of the 1914 - 1918 war. In addition, this was also the 70th anniversary year of the Normandy Landings of 1944. The money was raised by voluntary subscription and fund-raising events, such as coffee mornings. Photograph No. 1 (above) shows the re-dedicated seat after the service and Photograph No. 2 shows the seat's written dedication.
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A service of remembrance and commitment
The service of remembrance and commitment for all who have died in the service of their country was led by Reverend John Kelly from the Parish of Whitehaven. It began shortly before 11.00 am and is summarised below.
An act of remembrance (Rev. John Kelly):
"Let us remember before God, and command to his sure keeping those who have died in the service of their country: those whom we knew and whose memory we treasure, and all who have lived and died in the service of their country."
The exhortation
(by Mr Frank Flinn, formerly Associate member of the N.V.A.)
Fourth verse of Laurence Binyon's poem 'For the Fallen' :
"They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
All present repeated the last line:
"We will remember them."
The Last Post (sounded on the trumpet by Mark Shaw, Salvation Army)
The Gun salute (Whitehaven Army Cadets)
The two minute silence (at 11.00 am)
The reveille (Whitehaven Army Cadets)
The Kohima Epitaph (spoken by Mr Frank Flinn)
(After John Maxwell Edmonds):
"When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say,
For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today"
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The laying of tributes at the memorial plaque
(led by the Mayor of Copeland, Councillor Mrs Eileen Eastwood)
The floral tributes and poppy crosses placed at the N.V.A. memorial plaque at this point in the ceremony can be sen in Photograph No. 3 above. The poppy crosses were laid in memory of those who died in all wars, but mainly for the 'Fallen' of the two World Wars. The wooden box contains sand from one of the Normandy Beaches. Many of the crosses have the names of some of those who lost their lives in wars written on them [as seen in Photograph No. 4].
Prayers for the 'Fallen' and for peace (Rev. John Kelly):
"O Lord, through the mouth of your prophet you declare that all souls are yours. We thank you for the brave and faithful dead, who willingly laid down their lives on the battlefield in war or succumbed to the perils of the deep or in the air.
We bless you for the dauntless courage of those defenders of our Commonwealth who have fallen in the cause of truth and righteousness. In your hands, O Father, we leave their departed spirits. Grant us to follow in their good example in faithfulness and endurance, even unto death, that we may with them be found worthy of the crown of everlasting life.
We thank you, O Heavenly Father, for the efforts being made by the nations of the world in seeking peace and happier relations with each other. We praise you for the spirit in men and women which made them scorn the way of safety and ventures, all for the common cause of Freedom and Right, for all the great and noble acts, known or unknown, which we believe by the mercy of God will bring about the final conquest of the forces of evil which threaten the peace and security of the world."
A prayer for world peace and the welfare of all nations (Rev. John Kelly):
"Let us pledge ourselves anew to the service of God and our fellow men and women. That we may help, encourage and comfort others and support those working for the relief of the needy and for the peace and welfare of all nations."
A common pledge for peace and the relief of want and suffering (All):
"Lord God, our Father,
We pledge ourselves to serve you and all the people in the cause of peace, for the relief of want and suffering and for the praise of your name.
Guide us by your spirit,
Give us your wisdom,
Give us courage,
Give us hope,
And keep us faithful now and always.
Amen."
The Lord's Prayer ("Our Father"), said by all present
Blessing (Rev. John Kelly)
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BBC People's War article
One of the BBC "People's War" articles contributed by 'Yours Truly' was about the original dedication of the memorial seat. To read this article (Article I.D.A3732202), click on the following link:
Dedication of the Normandy Veterans Memorial Seat, Whitehaven
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Dedication
This article is dedicated to the memory of those who have lost their lives in all wars and conflicts in times past and especially those who died in the Battle of Normandy (June - August 1944).
"Lest we forget".
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