|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
All the links are underlined & turn orange when you move your mouse over them.
|
|
| Notice Board - Visit to The National Memorial Arboretum |
|
Alrewas Staffordshire 27th June 2007
How fortunate that it was National Veterans Day or we might never have known about, or seen one of this Country's hidden treasures. I refer, of course, to the National Arboretum. Who knew that it existed, let alone where it was situated?
Merseyside AJEX decided they would go and seventeen members signed up for the day trip. We duly met our coach at 8.15am and we settled down for our journey which turned out to be very pleasant and we were really excited when we saw the road signs advising us that we were approaching the National Arboretum.
We didn't really know what to expect so we were utterly amazed at the beauty which stretched before our eyes.........a rolling green landscape, hundreds and hundreds of lovingly tended saplings, memorials in abundance...to servicemen and women of all denominations, to civilians, to children, to those "Shot at dawn", and in the centre of the Arboretum rising like an about to erupt volcano, a huge mountain like memorial which will bear the names of all the victims of war of the 20th century.
What a wonderful way to commemorate so many lives..........not stones or a monument but trees which will live and enhance the environment . The National Memorial Arboretum has been established to create a living tribute to the people of the 20th century and to be a gift in their memory for future generations to reflect upon and enjoy. ...........so many trees, so much grassland, so many well laid out saplings .......such wonderful memorials...............amongst them the superb AJEX Memorial where we gathered "to remember them". ...........and whichever way we looked we could see a Magen David.
The Standards were proudly borne with the Queens colour at its head proudly carried by our own Aubrey Graham at a wonderfully moving Service conducted by Rev Malcolm Weisman AJEX Chaplain, Rabbi Dr Lionel Tann Chief Minister of Birmingham Hebrew Congregation, and Rev Anthony Gilbert Cantor of Etz Chaim Synagogue Leeds. Mr. Jacques Weisser General Secretary AJEX masterminded the proceedings and National Chairman Harold Newman gave a stirring address.
At the march past of all veterans of all denominations and none, it tried to rain..........and the wind blew hard but the shoulders went back as the column proudly formed up.
What a day it was
Naomi Kingston |
|
|
|
|
Design By NShiell | Contact the Webmaster Leonard Stern |
|
