Yes, I Will Miss It
Hi You Lovely WA'ers
The subject photo sums up my last six years on the Membership Council of the Royal British Legion, a post that I will step down from in three months time. I will really miss my trips to London, the pomp and the ceremony when I have been privileged to attend both State and Ceremonial occasions, not to mention meeting so many members of the Royal Family.
This last weekend saw my last appearance at the weekend's event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ending of the First World War.
This year I was invited to represent the Membership Council at the War Widow's service, this is held at the Cenotaph at Whitehall on the Saturday Morning, a very humbling experience. It is still hard to comprehend when I see young widows in their twenties, proudly wearing their Husband's medals.
As my guest this year I invited the Medic who helped when me I was ill with food poisoning on our return from Normandy. After a pleasant lunch we joined the rest of the Council to journey to the Albert Hall for the evening performance of the Festival of Remembrance. Afterwards at the reception I was fortunate to spend sometime with Carol Verdaman and also with Johnson Beharry VC, two really charming people.
The Sunday dawned bright and sunny for my final parade at Whitehall, as my colleagues and I led the parade I have to confess to feeling very emotional when I realized that this was to be last Parade in this role. The crowds were truly enormous, two to three times the normal size.
This year the salute was taken by the Princess Royal, which too me was very fitting as she took the salute on my very first Remembrance Parade.
What struck me this year was that whenever I walked through London, yes complete with bowler hat, the number of people who came up and shook my hand and said thank you. This made the occasion more humbling and very special.
On the Monday before I went to London I was invited to attend the opening of the Memorial Garden at the National Memorial Arboretum, this was another splendid occasion.
The previous Saturday I attend the opening of a permament garden in my local Town, something which I have been trying for over twenty years has finally happened.
To be honest it is not just these grand occasions I will miss but also the many functions that I have attended with the Members, these people have become friends and they I will truly miss.
Still, at least my websites will receive my full attention, as will the garden and the decorating, with that thought should I not stay, if I do I think my wife would go quietly mental.
On that note.
Until the next time
Stuart
Recent Comments
27
Hi Stuart, You have had some amazing experiences, and yes it is sad to move on, but you have many things to enjoy as you move forward. No one can take your memories away, they are there for you to enjoy for the rest of your life. You have done a great job for the Membership Council of the Royal British Legion, you should be very proud of yourself. All the best.
Jenny
Great honours for your service! ... Salute to you, Sir! ...
Thanks kindly for sharing this momentous occasion with us ...
all the best for every success going forward, cheerio ... ⭐️
Sounds like an enjoyable and memorable position to hold and that you did a great job!
Here's to spending more time on WA!
Cora
Well my fly buddy, it is a bittersweet memory. What a great honor you have been privileged to do. I am sure you will miss it, but the garden calls! Congrats for your service and enjoy the garden.
Joe
Joe, many thanks for your so kind words, it was a great priviledge to be allowed to do it.
Stuart
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Memories are a great asset as we enter our final hopefully many late years of life.
Tom.
So very true Tom.
Stuart