No 925 Monday 27th June - Sunday 3rd July 2022
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T O R R E V I E J A S A L U T E S T H E M I L I TA RY O N A R M E D F O R C E S D AY
lthough the list of VIP’s might have been rather shorter than that seen at Saturday’s UK National event in Scarborough, Armed Forces Day, held at La Inmaculada Concepcion church in Torrevieja on Saturday was no less poignant, as former servicemen, women and members of the public from across the region, joined together with their colleagues from Spain, to celebrate and show their support for those currently serving in the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, as well as veterans, reservists and their families.
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This was the first time that the event, organised by Spain District North of The Royal British Legion, has held the event in Torrevieja. After three successful years at the Orihuela Cathedral the decision was taken to decentralise the occasion and move it around the country, with the ‘City of Salt’ the chosen venue, where the Ayuntamiento have always been so supportive to the expatriate community. This year was no different with Jean Paul Mulero, Director of the office for international residents (OARI), together with his predecessor, Graham Knight, providing the necessary links between the two bodies. Although Mayor Eduardo Dolon was out of the country and not able to attend the event, his two representatives, deputy mayor Federico Alarcon Martinez and councillor for foreign residents Ms Gitte Lund Thomsen, proved more than capable substitutes. They were joined in the front rows by the British Vice Consul Elizabeth Bell MBE along with the Chief of local police, Vicente Gutiérrez and Wing Cmdr Jon Millington from the NATO Project Team in Albacete. The service, led by Fr Richard Seabrook, got underway as Standard Bearers representing the RBL, Guardia Civil, RNA, RMA, British and Spanish military veterans, marched into the magnificent church, reconstructed in 1844, using stones reclaimed from the original Torre Vella, (Old Tower). Their entry was accompanied by music from The RBL Concert Band in Spain, directed by David Last, as it welcomed their arrival with the Royal British Legion March. During the joint denominational service of readings and hymns, conducted in both English and Spanish, there was further musical accompaniment by the Royal British Legion Band, who were supported throughout by The Crescendo International Choir.
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