On Friday 22 May the Arboretum will host the Royal British Legion's 'Remembering the Iraq War - 15 Years On' event. The Arboretum will be busier than normal, and all visitors are encouraged to book parking in advance to guarantee entry to site.
Access to the RBL event area to the rear of the Armed Forces Memorial will be restricted to event ticket holders only. The Armed Forces Memorial will also be closed between 11am - 1pm.
The RBL event will be relayed onto screens in Heroes' Square and the Naval Review for visitors without tickets who wish to participate in the programme.
Following a
welcome by Arboretum Lead Mark Ellis,
the Service of Remembrance was led by The Venerable Dr Susan Weller, Archdeacon of Lichfield.
During the service, Grace Bennett, one of our Queen’s volunteer medal recipients, read ‘Floral Tribute’ written by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage in tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The Exhortation was delivered by Anny Reid OBE ARRC, Chair of the National Memorial
Arboretum and Trustee of the Royal British Legion,
and the Kohima Epitaph was read by Tony
Matthews, Chairman of the RBL National Memorial Arboretum Branch.
The musical interlude during the wreath laying was performed by The Band of the Prince of Wales. With a choral accompaniment provided by Lichfield Cathedral Chamber Choir.
