Lest We Forget

Lest We Forget ("para que no olvidemos")

Remembrance Sunday is the day traditionally put aside by the British Community to remember all those who have given their lives for the peace and the freedom that we enjoy today. On this day people across the region pause to reflect on the sacrifices made by the millions of brave Service men and women.

Within the Orihuela Costa those sacrifices were remembered yesterday with a unique celebration of homage, a service held at the Capilla de las Mil Palmeras in the diocese of Pilar de la Horadada, and it was not only members of the Expatriate Community who came out in force. The Service was attended by many representatives of the three main towns covered by the Orihuela Costa Branch of the Royal British Legion including the mayor of Pilar de La Horadada, Don Ignacio Ramos, and a representative from Orihuela Ayuntamiento, Stefa Pokroppa, each bringing with them a sizeable delegation.

Representation was also provided by the British Government in the form of the Assistant Consul from Alicante, Elizabeth Bell, whilst Squadron Leader Richard Waggitt, currently attending Spanish Staff College in Madrid, represented the British Military.

The National Service of Remembrance, held simultaneously at the Cenotaph in Whitehall, was originally conceived as a commemoration of the war dead of the First World War but after the Second World War the scope of the ceremony was extended to focus on the nation's dead of both World Wars, and in 1980 it was widened once again to extend the remembrance to all who have suffered and died in conflict in the service of their country and all those who mourn them.

The Orihuela Costa Branch of the Royal British Legion was only formed in February of this year so the service in Mil Palmeras was the very first held in the district. The Torrevieja Branch hold their Remembrance service tomorrow (Tuesday) at the La Siesta Parish Church.