.jpg)
March Past & Parade of Veterans organised by the International Veterans Association
As the strains of The Last Post died away it was taken up by the haunting drone of a Scottish Piper’s lonely lament drifting across the waters of Torrevieja Marina and hundreds of people stood in silence to pay tribute to the veterans of the military and civil services gathered there: But this was no act of remembrance. It was the March Past and Parade of Veterans organised by the Torrevieja International Veterans’ Association, and a chance for us to say thank you to the ordinary men and women who safeguard our freedoms and our lives.
Earlier these veterans had been arriving with their carefully pressed blazers and suits bearing gleaming medals, and they had enjoyed the sunshine on a parade ground ringed with an impressive display of Spanish military vehicles, alongside vehicles, personnel and equipment from the Spanish Civil Services and stalls from British ex-service organisations, each sporting flags and standards.
Organised this year as part of the San Cristobel Festival in honour of Spanish Armed Forces, the parade at the Salt Jetty in Torrevieja was a prelude to a weekend of events all over the area.
The event opened to the stirring strains of the slow march Royal Standard, played by the Phoenix Concert Band performing their inaugural concert, and an address given by Antonio Marin, President of the San Cristobel Association explaining that we were there to pay tribute and show our respect to the veterans of all countries seeking to achieve peace. This message was endorsed by Pedro Valero, the Councillor for Foreigners and Immigration who spoke in English to the multi national crowd gathered to watch.
It was followed by a short wreath laying ceremony when a wreath carried by WO1 (Ret’d) Peter Padley and Alberto Girona Boti, Presidente of the Hermanidad A.A.C.C. Legiorios of Elche and Rojales, escorted by Standard Bearers from all the organisations present, was laid on behalf of both countries, and one on behalf of RAFA was laid by WO (Ret’d) Noel Cork MBE.
Chaplain Keith Brown spoke of the contribution made by all these men and women to the safety of our everyday lives and pointed out that there is a lot more to the term ‘veteran’ than an image of old men wearing medals and marching to a military band. The veterans of today are the young men and women currently fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq and carrying out safety missions in other parts of the world. They are all united by experiences known only to them, their comrades and to God.
His thoughts were echoed by his Spanish counterpart, Don Jose Luis Arnal, Parish Priest for La Mata. A minute’s silence and Reveille, played by bugler Nicky Dick brought this part of the proceedings to a close, and it was time for the veterans to form up for the March Past.
The parade was led by a 50 strong Spanish Band followed by the National flags of Spain and the United Kingdom and representatives of all branches of the Services from both countries.
Contingents came from the Hermanidad des Legionarios, The Royal Navy, The Royal Marines, The Royal Air Force, the Army, and the Royal British Legion, each proceeded by their standard bearers, and then came representatives from other services, all warmly applauded by the watching crowds.
The salute was taken by Eduardo Gil, Assistant Mayor of Torrevieja and member of the San Cristobel Association, Lt Cdr Oscar Villar, Harbourmaster of Torrevieja, and Rod Millington, Chairman of the Torrevieja International Veterans’ Association.
The event was also attended by British Consul, Juliet Maric.
Following the Parade there was entertainment from the Academia de Baile Agustina Esteve and the international group Hot Ice. Piper for the occasion was Pipe Major Barry Waddington.
As our veterans drifted away in the lengthening shadows they may, indeed, look like old men and women with nothing remarkable to distinguish them but, on Friday evening, in the setting sun, they once again straightened their shoulders, lengthened their stride and stepped out with rightly deserved pride.
Earlier these veterans had been arriving with their carefully pressed blazers and suits bearing gleaming medals, and they had enjoyed the sunshine on a parade ground ringed with an impressive display of Spanish military vehicles, alongside vehicles, personnel and equipment from the Spanish Civil Services and stalls from British ex-service organisations, each sporting flags and standards.
Organised this year as part of the San Cristobel Festival in honour of Spanish Armed Forces, the parade at the Salt Jetty in Torrevieja was a prelude to a weekend of events all over the area.
The event opened to the stirring strains of the slow march Royal Standard, played by the Phoenix Concert Band performing their inaugural concert, and an address given by Antonio Marin, President of the San Cristobel Association explaining that we were there to pay tribute and show our respect to the veterans of all countries seeking to achieve peace. This message was endorsed by Pedro Valero, the Councillor for Foreigners and Immigration who spoke in English to the multi national crowd gathered to watch.
It was followed by a short wreath laying ceremony when a wreath carried by WO1 (Ret’d) Peter Padley and Alberto Girona Boti, Presidente of the Hermanidad A.A.C.C. Legiorios of Elche and Rojales, escorted by Standard Bearers from all the organisations present, was laid on behalf of both countries, and one on behalf of RAFA was laid by WO (Ret’d) Noel Cork MBE.
Chaplain Keith Brown spoke of the contribution made by all these men and women to the safety of our everyday lives and pointed out that there is a lot more to the term ‘veteran’ than an image of old men wearing medals and marching to a military band. The veterans of today are the young men and women currently fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq and carrying out safety missions in other parts of the world. They are all united by experiences known only to them, their comrades and to God.
His thoughts were echoed by his Spanish counterpart, Don Jose Luis Arnal, Parish Priest for La Mata. A minute’s silence and Reveille, played by bugler Nicky Dick brought this part of the proceedings to a close, and it was time for the veterans to form up for the March Past.
The parade was led by a 50 strong Spanish Band followed by the National flags of Spain and the United Kingdom and representatives of all branches of the Services from both countries.
Contingents came from the Hermanidad des Legionarios, The Royal Navy, The Royal Marines, The Royal Air Force, the Army, and the Royal British Legion, each proceeded by their standard bearers, and then came representatives from other services, all warmly applauded by the watching crowds.
The salute was taken by Eduardo Gil, Assistant Mayor of Torrevieja and member of the San Cristobel Association, Lt Cdr Oscar Villar, Harbourmaster of Torrevieja, and Rod Millington, Chairman of the Torrevieja International Veterans’ Association.
The event was also attended by British Consul, Juliet Maric.
Following the Parade there was entertainment from the Academia de Baile Agustina Esteve and the international group Hot Ice. Piper for the occasion was Pipe Major Barry Waddington.
As our veterans drifted away in the lengthening shadows they may, indeed, look like old men and women with nothing remarkable to distinguish them but, on Friday evening, in the setting sun, they once again straightened their shoulders, lengthened their stride and stepped out with rightly deserved pride.
TORREVIEJA SAN CRISTOBEL FESTIVAL
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
