Queen unveils new Armed Forces Memorial

Today the Queen unvailed a new memorial a stone circle in Alrewas, Staffordshire, bears the names of 16,000 service personnel who have died since World War II, in the service of our country.

The memorial, designed by architect Liam O'Connor, honours those killed in combat and training as well as in acts of terrorism.

The Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams led prayers at the event. He said the memorial was about naming the "invisible" ready to risk their lives for the country and world.

Vice-Admiral Sir John Dunt, chairman of the Armed Forces Memorial Trustees, opened the ceremony with a speech in which he spoke of the sorrow and pride of the families of the deceased. "I hope that those who have been bereaved and colleagues of those whose names are engraved find this a fitting place to remember and reflect.
"There will be sorrow for family and friends who come here, but I hope they will also be uplifted and proud - proud that these men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice have done so by serving their country."

There is room for 15,000 more names to be carved on the Portland stone walls of the memorial, at the National Memorial Arboretum.


I must say from a personal point of view, that this memorial is long overdue but very welcome.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1288187,00.html?f=rss

http://www.forcesmemorial.org.uk/

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2645019.ece

 

Well done and a beautiful tribute to those who've fallen for their country and it's interests both foreign and domestic.

Thanks for sharing...
Ben

 

Amen, I am grateful that we can count on Great Britain to watch our back.

 

I woudnt count on it for much longer, the state of our armed forces is appaling, talk about underfunding and poor equipment!!

 

I am an optimist and not a pessimist. When they start crawling into my back yard, then and only then will I will set up a "L" ambush in the trees along side the trail.

 

Veterans of the Korean, WWII, Vietnam conflicts all have their memorials, but WWI veterans in the USA never got one. Now there is only believed to be one surviving doughboy from WWI living in the USA and there is a campaign so that hopefully a memorial will be at least started during his lifetime. The USA veteran is now 107 years old, and lied about his age to get into the army, or they wouldn't have taken him.

 

I do hope that he gets his wish, it is not right that they be forgoten without a memorial

 

God, Country,Family Corps.
The recognition makes them all a hero.

Semper Fi

 

I wouldnt count on Scotland after that great decision last week. They kind of let us down with that.

 

There is one in Washington D.C.. Its been there for a while.

 

So its ok to be forgotten with a memorial? Just kidding. It was the way you phrased it.

 

Cant be forgotten with a memorial

 

Well not to Arizona Jack. He isnt aware of the one in D.C..

 

The very fact that the nation continues in freedom is memorial enough for me.

 

Amen, brother. Amen

 

But there are those who need reminding of that sacrifice in the name of freedom otherwise they are only to happy to forget and allow those freedoms so hard won to be eroded