Thank you to local schools and everyone who joined us for the Armed Forces Day flag raising today to mark the start of Armed Forces Week. It was a fitting tribute, giving thanks and recognition to all UK Armed Forces.
Our special thanks to RAF Odiham for their presence and parade. We were honoured to be joined by Force Commander, Gp Capt Hannah Bishop.
We thank the bowling club for the use of their facilities and for serving refreshments.
Odiham Parish Council chair Cllr Angela McFarlane, Alex Brewer MP and Hampshire County Council Cllr Chris Dorn all gave thanks, emphasising RAF Odiham’s valued part of the local community.
William Walker’s poem “Our Wall”,
read by Robert May’s School pupil Orlando, beautifully reflects the thoughts of everyone present:
“We value peace, we value life.
We value freedom from all our strife.
We value all the things you did, to keep us safe, our futures hid.
You flew into the summer’s sky, you didn’t ask the reasons why.
You fought the foe, you held the line, to give us hope and give us time.
And now your names are on this wall, a testament to one and all.
That we will never quite forget, the standard that you proudly set.”
(William Walker was a Battle of Britain RAF pilot. His poem reflects the legacy of protection and the bond between the armed forces and civilians).
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