25th Anniversary 1991 Gulf War - Memorial Unveiling

[alwaysaKGE]

Unveiling of the Gulf War Memorial at the National Arboretum, Alrewas will take place on Sunday 28th February 2016 @ 10.50.


All aircrew, ground engineers & ground crew that were deployed as part of Op Granby/Desert Storm are cordially invited to attend the ceremony which will not only remember the forty seven that fell but also all of us that remain.


The memorial was funded by public donation via a charity specifically formed by veterans & the Kuwaiti government.


It is 'two fingers' to HMG & MoD who will not support any such individual memorial & have quietly swept the 25th Anniversary along with the memory of the 1991 Gulf War under the hanger floor.

[camelspyyder]

Were you not invited to the MoD formal commemoration Service at St Paul's Cathedral (and the Gulf War Memorial) then?

I was, but unfortunately I'm on other duty that day.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2016-01-13/22429

[BEagle]

Will those attending be wearing the medals they were awarded by the King of Saudi Arabia and the Emir of Kuwait?

I'll never forget the note which came with each from the Binnsworth Blunties - "Here is your medal. You're not allowed to wear it"......:mad:

[Wander00]

I don't think it is Blunties (in the military sense) that make that decision.


I was reminded in a pm by a poster on this site that as OC Blunties at W...n, that I had to sign off "thank you" letters on behalf of His Toniness to thank people for their service in GW

[BEagle]

No - an RAF 'blunty' wouldn't have made the decision I agree, but the person who sent the note with the medal could perhaps have explained the reasoning.

Still, I was pleased to see a retired 101 Sqn Master Engineer wearing both miniatures on his mess kit at the final VC10 bash - in defiance of the parsimonious 'accept but not wear' edict :ok:

[smujsmith]

I'm looking forward to attending on the day. After all, it's only a mile or so from where I grew up. As for medals, I am in possession of both the Kuwaiti and Saudi versions. And intend to wear neither, nor the "legal" ones awarded. I know where I was, what I did (or didn't) and a ribbon and a bit of metal won't change any of it. AlwaysAKGE, thanks for the heads up, I'm sure we would know each other, and perhaps we can say hello on the day. I might even bring an old friend along if he wants to come.

Smudge :ok: