WELCOME TO ARMED FORCES DAY 2024
This morning, we have the opportunity to take time from our normal events this June Saturday morning, to meet here in Mil Palmeras Church to both think back to events past and events present on this earth we call home.
A beautiful blue planet hanging in space with enough air, water, nutrients and food capable of maintaining human and animal life for the foreseeable future, gifted to us by a loving God who we call our heavenly Father. Sadly, since the birth of man, stories in our Bible from the early days of the Old Testament we read of wars and threats of wars caused by leaders wanting more than they had and invading surrounding lands burning, killing, maiming and taking prisoners. Over thousands of years, you would have thought that nations could live in peace with other nations. Obviously, greed and a lack of common sense has prevailed right up to our modern day.
Today in the news as it has been for so long, we read or hear of solders, seaman and airman
together with innocent civilians being killed or wounded in wars and conflicts around the world. It seems so easy to forget the families of those killed or maimed who have to carry on with their lives without their loved ones.
In our service here today the Levante Veterans and Friends have organised this Armed Forces Day service to look back, a week earlier than normal, to show our support and to give thanks for events past, what has gone, and those who have paid the Ultimate sacrifice, together with modern day veterans who have fought to give us the peace and freedom we all enjoy in this part of the world.
Here we honour the courage and selfless sacrifice of all who serve or who have served as members of the Armed Forces, Civil Guard and Police here in Spain and the United Kingdom. Today we give thanks to those who have organised our service, those who are taking part, the Standard Bearers, The Costa Blanca International Concert Band and Torrevieja Pipes and Drums. Rebecca Holt and Stevie
Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. Here in Spain we include all military, blue light services and veterans. It was originally the idea of Louis Johnson, who was the United States’ Secretary of Defense, back in 1949.
The first such day was celebrated on Saturday, May 20, 1950. The theme for that day was “Teamed for Defense”, which expressed the unification of all military forces under one government department. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the day was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job was performed and the role of the military in civilian life. In the United Kingdom it was formerly
BEM. Those who will be doing readings, and playing various solos we give you our heartfelt thanks.
Finally allow me to give you all thanks for attending this service today giving your time to sup-
known as Veterans' Day, but is now an annual event celebrated in late June where it commemorates the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces.
We have chosen to hold it in Mil Palmeras on 22 June so as not to clash with similar events being held elsewhere. Veterans' Day was first observed in 2006. Although an official event, it is not a public holiday. The name was changed to Armed Forces Day in 2009. Armed Forces Day is currently observed on the last Saturday of June.
Plans for a Veterans' Day were announced by then-Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, who said the aim was to ensure the contribution of veterans was never forgotten. The day is marked across the UK by local ceremonies and the presentation of medals to living ex-servicemen and women.
The date was chosen as it came the day after the anniversary of the first investiture of the Victoria Cross, in Hyde Park, London in 1857, when Queen Victoria
port those who we have never meet but never the less we are so eternally grateful for all they have and are doing. We give thanks and praise to our God for who we are and for the lives we enjoy here today on planet earth.
presented the first sixty-two Victoria Crosses in front of a cheering crowd of 100,000 people.
Veterans' Day itself was created as a permanent extension of Veterans' Awareness Week first held in 2005. Armed Forces Day generally focuses on celebrating living current/ex servicemen & women, whereas Remembrance Day focuses on honouring the dead. Although it used to be called Veterans' Day in the UK, it is not the same as the United States' Veterans Day which is more similar to Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth.
Here in Spain, Armed Forces Day (Día de las Fuerzas Armadas) has been observed since 1978.
It started as a purely military celebration, but became with time a more colourful and popular event, the central acts of which are held each year at a different city. This year the chosen city was Oviedo where it was held in the presence of the King and Queen just a couple of weeks ago.
Since 1987 it has been observed on the Saturday nearest to 30 May, feast-day of Saint Ferdinand.
Spit
Pastor Keith Brown Hope Christian Fellowship Church, La Marina.
A Service to Celebrate Armed Forces Day 2024
To be held at Capilla de las Mil Palmeras, Saturday, 22nd May 2024
The Service will be conducted by Pastor Keith Brown
The people’s responses are in red
Before the Service begins, THE COSTA BLANCA INTERNATIONAL CONCERT BAND, will play ALittle Prayer composed by the deaf musician Dame Evelyn Glennie
My Heart will go on from ‘Titanic’ written by Will Jennings and James Horner
THE WELCOME
The Congregation is asked to stand to receive the representative Standards of Veterans’ organisations in Spain.
HYMN
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven; to his feet your tribute bring. Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, evermore his praises sing. Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise the everlasting King!
Praise him for his grace and favor to his people in distress.
Praise him, still the same as ever, slow to chide, and swift to bless. Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness!
Fatherlike he tends and spares us; well our feeble frame he knows. In his hand he gently bears us, rescues us from all our foes. Alleluia, alleluia!
Widely yet his mercy flows!
A CELEBRATION OF THE ARMED FORCES
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
On this Armed Forces Day, we gather in this holy place, to honour the courage and selfless sacrifice of all who serve, or have served in uniform, in the Armed Forces, Civil Guard and Police, of the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom.
Today, we honour the support given to the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families.
Prayer of Saint Ignatius of Loyola
Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labour and not to ask for any reward, except that of knowing that we do your will. Amen.
READING
A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. (Romans 12:9-15)
Read by Jean Heald
Beloved: Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honour. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SOLO - REBECCA HOLT
will sing ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ by Ivor Novello, with words by Lena Guilbert
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. We pray for the world and its leaders, for King Felipe and Queen Letizia, of Spain, and King Charles and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom; that all those in positions of authority may walk in the ways of justice and peace, and people of all faiths may live together in harmony. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for all who serve in our Armed Forces, Civil Guard and Police; that they may meet danger with bravery, discipline, and loyalty, and be a force for good. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
We give thanks to all those who have served in the Armed Forces, and help us to remember past and present sacrifices, that may inspire this and future generations with the same spirit of selfless service. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for all those who serve in the medical profession, that their service to humanity may be valued and appreciated. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for the sick and wounded, those injured in their line of duty, and those who suffer loss; that they may be healed, comforted, consoled, and renewed. Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
ADDRESS - By Pastor Keith Brown
SOLO – Stevie Spit BEM singing BRING HIM HOME written by Herbert Kretzzmer, Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg, from the musical ‘Les Miserables’.
OFFERTORY HYMN
Acollection will take place during the Offertory Hymn for the benefit of Cruz Roja, The Spanish Red Cross
Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm does bind the restless wave, Who bids the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea.
O Savior, whose almighty word The winds and waves submissive heard, Who walked upon the foaming deep, And calm amid the rage did sleep; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea.
O Holy Spirit, who did brood Upon the waters dark and rude, And bid their angry tumult cease, And give for wild confusion peace; O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea.
O Trinity of love and pow'r, Your children shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire, and foe, Protect them where-so-e'er they go; Thus, evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
ACT OF REMEMB RANCE
The Congregation is requested to remain standing throughout the ActofRemembrance and the NationalAnthems
The Exhortation – read by Walter Shatford They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. We will remember them.
Last Post – Two-Minute Silence – Reveille played by Ian Gibson
Pipe Major Brian Day plays the lament ‘Hector the Hero’
When you go home, tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today.
ACT OF COMMITMENT
Let us commit ourselves to responsible living and faithful service:
Will you strive for all that makes for peace? We will.
Will you seek to heal the wounds of war? We will.
Will you work for a just future for all humanity? We will.
NATIONAL ANTHEMS
BLESSING
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
Go in peace to love and to serve the Lord In the name of Christ. Amen.
As the Congregation exits the Church the COSTA BLANCA INTERNATIONAL CONCERT BAND, SPAIN, will play COLORS OF THE WIND, composed by Allan Menken and Stephen Schwartz, from the film Pocahontas
A wreath will be laid by the Association in the Garden of Remembrance. Should you wish to lay your own wreath or flowers you are most welcome to do so
The Kohima Epitaph read by Walter Shatford
Celebrating with us Today
We are delighted once again to have the support of both the Costa Blanca International Concert Band and The Torrevieja Pipes and Drums.
Both organisations have been commenorating events with us at Capilla de las Mil Palmeras for many years, although in the case of the band, for quite a lot of them it was in a previous guise.
The two organisations are also much valued associations within the expat community, raising many thousdands of euros for local charities as the go about their daily business without any fuss.
We are also delighted to welcome Ian Gibson back to the church. Ian, a long time member of JBBrass Band played the Last Post and Reveille for all of our early years and it is good to see him back on the church steps once again.
Standing alongside Ian, resplendent in his kilt, will be Falklands Veteran, Pipe Major Brian Day, formerly of the Scots Guards. Brian arrived in Spain and almost immediately became a member of the Pipes and Drums of which he is now an integral part.
Following the last post, Brian will by playing a Scottish Lament.
Whilst standard bearers are still to be confirmed we do know that The Royal Naval Association will be on parade with at least four standards, including the Spanish National and the Union Flag as well as
their own RNAAssociation standard and the White Ensign.
At the time of writing I understand that Carl and Nicola Louden will be the bearers along with Tom Patterson and Danny Kay.
Thankyou to them all for giving up their valuable time to be with us today.
Thankyou also the the RNAChair, Tony Jenkins, who, along with Jean Heald and Eddie Coleman, have been instrumental in putting this day together.
DDay Landings commemorated in Co Mayo
Alittle over 2 weeks ago on 6 June we marked the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast during World War II.
This event, ultimately led to the liberation of Europe and was commemorated by thousands of Armed Forces personnel and members of the public who took part in events in Normandy and in Portsmouth.
King Charles and Queen Camilla attended commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-surMer along with the Minister of Defence, The Rt Hon Grant Shapps and The Prime Minister, The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak Veterans who chose to travel to Normandy for the commemorations were given a spectacular send-off by the Armed Forces as
Maureen and husband Ted
they crossed the Channel. The Royal Air Force Battle of Britain Memorial Flight performed a flypast overhead, while Royal Navy ships in Portsmouth Harbour sailed past in formation, sounding their sirens.
Whilst the occasion and the personnel involved in the landings are quite rightly lauded did you
know that a large part of the success of the landings belongs to the small County Mayo village of Blacksod from where a weather report was made by the local postmistress, Maureen Sweeney née Flavin, compiled from barometer readings that were collated by her husband Ted, the lighthouse keeper at Blacksod.
The weather report they took on June 3rd, 1944 - Maureen's 21st birthday - influenced General Eisenhower's decision to launch D-Day three days later.
Had they gone ahead on the original day the consequences for the allied forces could have been catastrophic.
Historians believe that this weather report was crucial to the success of the D-Day landings.
Having played such an important part in the landings, needless to say the village held a daylong commemoration honouring the 80th anniversary of the DDay landings and celebrating the crucial role that the village played in the successful invasion. The commemorative event also served as a tribute to Maureen Sweeney, who died last December aged 100.
Spain Armed Forces Day 2024
More than 6,250 service men and women took part in Armed Forces Day celebrations this year, attended as ever, by King Felipe and Queen Leticia in Oviedo. On the day prior to the central commemorative event Don Felipe presided over an air parade and naval review where he witnessed a demonstration on the beach of San Lorenzo in Gijón.
The main event on 25 May began with the arrival of Their Majesties, who were escorted by the Royal Escort Squadron, where they were met by the president of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón Rodríguez, and the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles.
Also in attendance were the mayor of Oviedo, Alfredo Canteli Fernández and the chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón.
Minister Robles pointed out that the world is experiencing a very complicated situation and that is why, on a day like today, Spain and its Armed Forces are making a firm and decisive commitment to peace.
"The armed forces are brave and are there to guarantee peace, which always hangs in the balance everywhere," she said.
The military parade, over a kilometre long in the centre of Oviedo, allowed members of the public to enjoy an march past involving 3,293 soldiers on foot. Added to the participants in the the previous days (270 in the Gijón air parade, 292 in the Military Music event, 2,071 in the naval air activities and 324 in the static exhibition and display), the total number of troops on parade totalled 6,250.
There were also 13 armoured-mechanised vehicles, 108 vehicles and 36 motorbikes, which, together with the horses of the Royal Guard, always attract the attention
of the spectators.
New system for mobile devices
On this occasion, and for the first time, the parade could be followed via an audio playlist, hosted on YouTube. The QR codes printed on the signs along the route allowed access from any mobile device providing information about each of the groups as they passed through.
As usual, the units with mascots were particularly popular: the female goshawks and eagles of the Light Infantry Brigade, the male sheep of the Legion and the dogs with their guides from the UME. The colourful uniforms of the Regulars and the Mountain Hunters are also one of the assets that add to the spectacular nature of the parade.
In addition to the tracing of the flag in the air by the Eagle Patrol, who had flown to the event from San Javier, another of the highlights of the celebration of every Armed Forces Day was the performance of the Air Force Parachute Acrobatic Patrol, who jumped carrying the national flag.
Tribute to the injured and deceased
Prior to the event the Minister of Defence met with relatives of those killed and injured in the line of duty, who also took part in the tribute paid to them at the start of the parade.
She told the families of those killed and injured in the line of duty that "this is a tribute from all the Armed Forces, and wherever they are, this will be a source of comfort to them. They know that they have all my affection and that of the Armed Forces".
She also reminded them that whatever they need, there will always be a man or woman from the armies who will be with
them. "I have always admired your fortitude and strength. I would like you to be proud of each and every one of them today, Armed Forces Day," she said. Here in Spain, Armed Forces Day dates back to 1978 when it was established to hold an institutional event that would serve as a tribute to the Armies and the Navy and to promote knowledge and their integration into society.
The arrival of the national flag by parachute
Eagle Patrol from Santiago de la Ribera
The King and Queen in Oviedo
