Among those who attended the poignant service,
were the new Defence Secretary Dr John Reid, North Wiltshire
MP Mr James Gray, local dignitaries, head teachers, and hundreds
of service and civilian personnel from the active Wiltshire
base. The families, relatives, friends, colleagues all joined
together to hopefully put together a final episode in what
has been a devastating time for the the whole local community.
Since the tragic evening of the 30th January 2005, a community
has been shocked in realising that their comrades have lost
their lives, playing an invaluable part in trying to secure
peace in the middle east.
North Wiltshire MP Mr James Gray who attended the service,
said afterwards, "It is an absolute tragic loss of life
and the Lyneham community has been ripped apart, I must commend
them in the way the service personnel, local villagers have
all pulled together to help everyone affected to overcome
this tragedy."
He continues" Today was a final episode, hopefully in
bereavement, a superb display of unity, the RAF Lyneham Squadron
Standards being displayed was tremendous, marched through
the packed cathedral, with the Central Band of the Royal Air
Force playing fanfares and wonderful music. You could feel
the atmosphere of the service, is was very moving."
 |
The Very Reverend June Osborne, Dean
to Salisbury Cathedral, opened the service, stating
that the importance of this day is very personal to
her, she mentioned one of the finest medieval cathedrals
in Britain, a place of worship, we often pray for the
many local service personnel of all the armed forces
who are currently serving in the forces overseas in
the many places of conflict.
"The loss of the lives is still very raw, everyone
in the building can sense a scale of sacrifice, and
it is very special to me".
June Osborne, who is the first woman Dean of a medieval
cathedral, continues "The Chaplaincy Team at RAF
Lyneham should be commended for their care and sensitivity
on the compilation of such an important service of thanksgiving.
The shape of the service is very personal to the families
and a major justice to the memories of the lost ones,
and I hope the service has brought some comfort to everyone." |
| The
Very Reverend June Osborne
Dean to Salisbury Cathedral |
|
Speaking after the service too, the Bishop of Ramsbury, the
Right Rev Peter Hullah, said church members had been helping
staff and families at RAF Lyneham through the grieving process.
"This tragedy has affected more people than we could
have expected," he said. "The families are coping
remarkably well with a determination that hope must triumph."
| The service of thanksgiving was started
in unison with fellow comrades, currently serving in
the middle east, and a small Lyneham based detachment
in China Lake, holding their own services, showing how
widespread the need to unite in grief and prayer for
those affected.
The service was started in Wiltshire's finest place
of worship, with The
Central Band of the Royal Air Force, conducted by
Warrant Officer Kenneth Bell, playing a selection of
music while the congregation assembled in the splendid
13th Century building. |
 |
Group Captain Paul Oborn, who continues to display outstanding
leadership qualities, uniting his station personnel, families
and loved ones together to overcome such a major loss on the
day of the Iraq elections, a remarkable sign of his true professionalism.
He read a tribute to this team, [A
Tribute to the Crew of Hilton 22] our boys, who gave their
all for a people that they barely knew.
Mr Oborn told the congregation the soldiers had "fought
in a conflict and against an enemy many of us struggle to
understand". He added: "They were a band of brothers,
brothers in arms, who were united in the love and pride that
they took in what they did. They were professionals and because
of their mission they were the best."
During the service the Salisbury choir sang many pieces of
music and united with the Chaplaincy Team from RAF Lyneham
for the Prayers of Intercession. During the intercessions,
the choir sang these responses : "Those
who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall
mount up with wings like eagles"
Heavenly Father, we thank you for all your good gifts - for
human life, for the beauty of creation, for the joy of loving
relationships, and for the constancy of friends. We thank
you especially for the lives of the men we are here to remember
today - for what they meant to each one of us, for the love
they shared with us, for the joy and fun they experienced
and shared, for their loyalty and courage.
Those who wait for the Lord shall
renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like
eagles.
Merciful Father, we pray for those whose lives are filled
with sorrow. We offer into your loving and healing care those
known to us who are ill in body or mind, those who are plagued
by painful memories, those who know the emptiness of loss
and bereavement. We offer you too our own concerns and fears.
Help us to know you as the healer and lover of souls.
Those who wait for the Lord shall
renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like
eagles.
Loving Lord, we pray that the sacrifices of those who gave
their lives in the cause of peace may not be in vain. We pray
for peace and stability in your world, and especially today
we pray for peace in Iraq. We ask you, Father, to put into
the hearts of all your people a desire for peace. Bring healing
to those whose hearts are filled with hatred and violence
and turn them to your way of love and forgiveness. Help all
people to share life in this world according to your loving
plan.
Those who wait for the Lord shall
renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like
eagles.
Blessed God, we offer into your care all members of the armed
forces and their families. Watch over them and keep them safe,
provide them with the qualities they need to fulfill their
task, support the families of those who are away on duty.
We pray that you will build up all military communities that
they may be places of care, trust and comradeship.
Those who wait for the Lord shall
renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like
eagles.
Holy God, you created us to know perfect fulfilment and happiness
in your presence. Make us always aware that you are with us.
When the tragedies of life challenge our faith do not leave
us bereft but renew our hope in you. May the vision of your
glory be our inspiration. May the joy that you promise those
who love you motivate us to continue to work for good in your
world.
Those who wait for the Lord shall
renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like
eagles.
The service ended with the lighting of candles around the
central podium for those who have fallen in Iraq. The Lyneham
crew members who were killed were Flt
Lt David Stead, 35, Flt Lt Andrew
Smith, 25, Flt Lt Paul Pardoel,
35, Master Engineer Gary Nicholson,
42, Chief Technician Richard Brown,
40, Flt Sgt Mark Gibson, 34, Sgt
Robert O'Connor, 38, and Cpl
David Williams, 37. The ninth RAF man on board, Sqn
Ldr Patrick Marshall, 39, was from Strike Command Headquarters
at RAF High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Acting L/Cpl Steven
Jones, 25, was a soldier serving with the Royal Signals and
a passenger on the Hercules.
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