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CostaBlancaPeople 3rd-9th July 2018
Armed Forces Day exceeds expectations in Orihuela Cathedral First observed in 2006, Armed Forces Day in the United Kingdom is an annual event to commemorate the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces.
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ere in Spain the event was celebrated on Saturday 30 June to also include all those security forces, including the Irish Services and the Guardia Civil, National and Local Police here in Spain, to raise awareness and appreciation for those who look after our well-being, especially those who are currently on active duty. The event, which was also mentioned in a BBC report, was held for the first time in Orihuela city where over 200 British and
Spanish servicemen and veterans, led by the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums, and including four Chelsea Pensioners who had travelled to Spain especially for the event, marched the short distance from Plaza Teniente Linares, along Calle Mayor de Ramón de Cajal to the 13th Century
Orihuela Cathedral. After they were greeted at the door by the city’s mayor, a 45 minute service, held in English and Spanish, was conducted by the Chaplain of the Royal British Legion (Spain North), Pastor Keith Brown, along with the Cathedral Dean, Father José Antonio Gea. The Chelsea Pensioners marched into the Cathedral accompanied by “Boys of the Old Brigade” played by the newly formed band of the Royal British Legion, Spain. To the tune of “The Royal British Legion March” they were followed by the Standards of the RBL Spain North, RAFA, RNA, RMA, British and Spanish military veterans. During the joint denomination service of readings and hymns, conducted in English and Spanish, there was further musical and choral accompaniment by Continued on page 10
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