CITY OF LONDON SALUTE
A special salute to thank all those who helped secure the freedom of our country during WWII will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral on Tuesday 7 September 2010.
People living, working and visiting London on the day are urged to turn out to show their thanks to the heroes of 1940, by cheering on a march-past leaving St Paul ’s Cathedral at 1230hrs.
The date is exactly 70 years to the day since Hitler’s war offensive switched from military targets to the bombing of cities and industrial centres. The first attacks took place in London on that day; the beginning of a sustained campaign against the city’s citizens. To protect Londoners, RAF aircraft were launched against the Luftwaffe over the skies of London as part of the Battle of Britain.
In conjunction with The Lord Mayor of the City of London, the RAF Association is hosting a special event in the City of London to commemorate the bravery of those who helped protect the City during the Battle of Britain. This will take the form of a service of remembrance in St Paul ’s Cathedral, followed by a parade through the nearby streets, over which a WWII Spitfire, Lancaster and Dakota will fly overhead in salute.
A full-sized Spitfire aircraft will also be positioned at the bottom of St Paul ’s Cathedral’s main steps.
The event will be attended by a wide variety of people involved in protecting the City of London in 1940, such as firefighters, nurses and ambulance workers, as well as Battle of Britain pilots and current RAF personnel.
Senior guests will include the Lord Mayor of the City of London, the current Chief of the Defence Staff and the Chief of the Air Staff, a Defence Min ister, and Defence Attaches from countries involved in WWII (both Allied and otherwise).
The Lord Mayor of the City of London , Nick Anstee, said: “As the son of a former Wing Commander, the RAF has been a huge part of my upbringing. I had the privilege to see the work done by wonderful people, dedicated to doing their very best at all times.
“It is my great pleasure to be able to say thank you on behalf of the City of London Corporation to all those who took part in the Battle of Britain , the RAF World War II Veterans and their families, and to hold this remembrance service and reception in their honour."
The location of the salute is especially poignant; St Paul ’s Cathedral stood relatively untouched amongst the flames and destruction of London in 1940, becoming a beacon of hope for Londoners.
visit: www.rafa.org.uk
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