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So after many yrs I finally managed to attend a SAMA do (South Atlantic Medal Assoc.) We met up at Horse Guards Parade at 0915, waited reasonably patiently until 1045, when we marched out to line up behind thousands of others (10,000 in total). We had a TV screen to watch but no sound & even the RSM's were barely audiable from our distance.
We had requested to be at the or near the front as it's our 30th anniversary but were told as we were accorded that honour for our 25th, the next time will be out 50th. God only knows if I'll be alive & fit enough to attend but at 72, it would be a good one to finish on (don't know how the 80yo+ cope so well). I really wouldn't have enjoyed it if it had been raining all morning, it was vey bright, cold start but we ended up with hot heads & cold feet.
The only let down was Edward taking the salute. Anyone else would have been better than someone who never passed out of any service & now can only wear uniform as an honoury Col. Wessex Regiment. Surely Andrew could have take it? At least he earned one of his medals.
Afterwards we all went over to the Union Jack club, courtesy of the London Black Cabbies Assoc. who lined up to give old veterans a free ride where they wanted to go. I ws slightly perturbed when the young girl singled me out from the crowd to tell me this, OK I was in 'rig' but I am only just geting used to being classed as a vetern, let alone an old veteran!
I hadn't been to the Union Jack Club since & was in the mob & had forgotten what a marvellous place it is. Crammed full on Sunday with serving & ex-servicemen from UK & further afield. I spoke to generals, majors, Surg Cdr Rick Jolly, ex Booties & Paras, yes even the RAF. I noticed some Gurhkas working as security & spoke to one who had perfect English. I mention we brought the 7th Duke of Edinbugh's Reg back on the Uganda, was he on it? 'No sir, but my father was'. Guess I felt an older veteran then!
I spoke to a chap who had been trying to diffuse one of the bombs on a RN ship, when it went off. His mate was killed & he lost his arm. An interesting note was that he had managed to stay on in the army afterwards but they had made him wear a prosthetic arm. When he left he threw it away & now manages to cope as well as anyone could, without it.
I also spoke to someone who had been under the care of Combat Stress & also to his wife. Speaking to her was more illuminating as she was grateful I think, to be able to tell what a change, the care had meant to their lives. 'After a 6/52 in patient course he came back a new man.'
It brought home just how much impact these service charites have but also it riles me that the Government isn't providing this care directly. Just read in my RBL mag that the Legion are donating 26million to a care centre, that surely should come under the Govenments convenent?
Anyway a wonderful day, meeting some real characthers & feeling the brotherhood more than I have since I leaft the mob in '90. It's a bit strange as I still work in a 95%+ male enviroment but everyone I met from senior officers to x squaadies & the doorman all treated me the same & although it surely wasn't like that in the mob, it's great to know it can be within the Legion & SAMA. When staying on business in London, I'll now ask my company to put me up there & the bordom of doing mundane couses can be lessened by meeting up old & new friends in the U.J. club.SAMA02_0006.jpgSAMA05.jpgSAM_0008.jpg
We had requested to be at the or near the front as it's our 30th anniversary but were told as we were accorded that honour for our 25th, the next time will be out 50th. God only knows if I'll be alive & fit enough to attend but at 72, it would be a good one to finish on (don't know how the 80yo+ cope so well). I really wouldn't have enjoyed it if it had been raining all morning, it was vey bright, cold start but we ended up with hot heads & cold feet.
The only let down was Edward taking the salute. Anyone else would have been better than someone who never passed out of any service & now can only wear uniform as an honoury Col. Wessex Regiment. Surely Andrew could have take it? At least he earned one of his medals.
Afterwards we all went over to the Union Jack club, courtesy of the London Black Cabbies Assoc. who lined up to give old veterans a free ride where they wanted to go. I ws slightly perturbed when the young girl singled me out from the crowd to tell me this, OK I was in 'rig' but I am only just geting used to being classed as a vetern, let alone an old veteran!
I hadn't been to the Union Jack Club since & was in the mob & had forgotten what a marvellous place it is. Crammed full on Sunday with serving & ex-servicemen from UK & further afield. I spoke to generals, majors, Surg Cdr Rick Jolly, ex Booties & Paras, yes even the RAF. I noticed some Gurhkas working as security & spoke to one who had perfect English. I mention we brought the 7th Duke of Edinbugh's Reg back on the Uganda, was he on it? 'No sir, but my father was'. Guess I felt an older veteran then!
I spoke to a chap who had been trying to diffuse one of the bombs on a RN ship, when it went off. His mate was killed & he lost his arm. An interesting note was that he had managed to stay on in the army afterwards but they had made him wear a prosthetic arm. When he left he threw it away & now manages to cope as well as anyone could, without it.
I also spoke to someone who had been under the care of Combat Stress & also to his wife. Speaking to her was more illuminating as she was grateful I think, to be able to tell what a change, the care had meant to their lives. 'After a 6/52 in patient course he came back a new man.'
It brought home just how much impact these service charites have but also it riles me that the Government isn't providing this care directly. Just read in my RBL mag that the Legion are donating 26million to a care centre, that surely should come under the Govenments convenent?
Anyway a wonderful day, meeting some real characthers & feeling the brotherhood more than I have since I leaft the mob in '90. It's a bit strange as I still work in a 95%+ male enviroment but everyone I met from senior officers to x squaadies & the doorman all treated me the same & although it surely wasn't like that in the mob, it's great to know it can be within the Legion & SAMA. When staying on business in London, I'll now ask my company to put me up there & the bordom of doing mundane couses can be lessened by meeting up old & new friends in the U.J. club.SAMA02_0006.jpgSAMA05.jpgSAM_0008.jpg
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