CHANGING OF THE GUARD HONOURS DEAD (IN HONOUR OF OUR ALLY)

ITN ^ | September 13, 2001 | ITN

[morque2001]

Thanks MadIvan. When you see the Duke, tell him I said thanks!

[Walkin Man]

Thank you so much for the post, I was deeply moved by the playing of our national anthem at the changing of the guard. I am very glad to know that the Royal Navy is on the high seas ready to help preserve peace and freedom. It is so wonderful to know that our British cousins care and stand ready to help us in this terrible time.

God speed to the Royal Navy and God save the Queen!

[untenured]

There is an ITN video report, with brief excerpts of the anthem, here.

[MadIvan]

God speed to the Royal Navy and God save the Queen!

As it turned out, the Navy was on its way to the Middle East for exercises anyway. It's a stroke of luck we didn't have to really prepare any further to send the force.

We're ready. Let the Arabs send their dinky little patrol boats - the Royal Navy could use the target practice.

Regards, Ivan

[Billie]

Thank you SO MUCH for posting this, MadIvan. I was watching the news on TV and heard that while we were having lunch. We know you are a good friend. I'm getting all weepy again, hearing and reading of the support of all the other countries who are outraged at this senseless and cowardly act of terrorism.

[MadIvan]

But I am here to tell you that, whatever form your system of world security may take, however the nations are grouped and ranged, whatever derogations are made from national sovereignty for the sake of the larger synthesis, nothing will work soundly or for long without the united effort of the British and American peoples.

If we are together nothing is impossible. If we are divided all will fail.

I therefore preach continually the doctrine of the fraternal association of our two peoples, not for any purpose of gaining invidious material advantages for either of them, not for territorial aggrandisement or the vain pomp of earthly domination, but for the sake of service to mankind and for the honour that comes to those who faithfully serve great causes.

Here let me say how proud we ought to be, young and old alike, to live in this tremendous, thrilling, formative epoch in the human story, and how fortunate it was for the world that when these great trials came upon it there was a generation that terror could not conquer and brutal violence could not enslave. Let all who are here remember, as the words of the hymn we have just sung suggest, let all of us who are here remember that we are on the stage of history, and that whatever our station may be, and whatever part we have to play, great or small, our conduct is liable to be scrutinised not only by history but by our own descendants.

Let us rise to the full level of our duty and of our opportunity, and let us thank God for the spiritual rewards He has granted for all forms of valiant and faithful service. Winston Churchill, 1943

Just a reminder from dear old Winston. Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

It is going to be all right, Billie. Britain and America are standing together again, as it should be. There will be payback for what these bastards have done...and America will not be alone in this most desperate hour.

Regards, Ivan

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

Your post and sentiments are truly appreciated. I have generally been pretty stoic throughout this whole thing. Hearing this news from the UK has brought tears to my eyes. Thank you and God Bless You. And God save the Queen!

[CELTICGAEL (Celt)]

Oh Ivan, thank you so much my friend for posting this. This article has brought me to tears again. As an American, I am so touched by this. We will win this War together! I am so touched and appreciate what your Patriots did today, I sent an email to your government to say thank you and how much I have been touched. Moreover, we as Americans grieve for the British Patriots that was lost as well. I hope everyone emails them to say thank you. Could someone make a link please. Here is the URL http://www.fco.gov.uk/

[MadIvan]

These words from Winston seem appropriate too:

This then, my lords and gentlemen, is the message which we send forth today to all states and nations, bound or free, to all the men in all the lands who care for freedom's cause. To our Allies and well-wishers in Europe, to our American friends and helpers drawing ever closer in their might across the ocean, this is the message - lift up your hearts, all will come right. Out of depths of sorrow and sacrifice will be born again the glory of mankind. - Winston Churchill, 1941

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Hearing this news from the UK has brought tears to my eyes

There will be a memorial service at St. Paul's Cathderal tomorrow. Her Majesty will be attending. I will try and post details from the ceremony and service here when they become available.

Best Regards, Ivan

[Walkin Man]

Lord Nelson in the cabin of the Victory.

[Don'tMessWithTexas]

I am the son of a Navy veteran. I recently read that the US and Royal Navy both use Eternal Father Strong to Save as their Hymns. It's good to know y'all are in the thick with us this time around.

[MadIvan]

"England expects of every man, that they will do their duty."

Absolutely. Let's get the little bastards.

Regards, Ivan

[jjbrouwer]

Let's bomb the shit out of them.

[MadIvan]

By the way, here are some details of what Britain is sending - as it turned out, our task force was going to the Middle East anyway:

The aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, with Fleet Air Arm Sea Harriers and RAF Harriers embarked, led to sea on 3 September a task group to join Argonaut 01, the Royal Navy's largest deployment since the Falklands. Meanwhile, the final preparations were being made in Oman for the start of Saif Sareea II, a major UK-Omani exercise which starts on 15 September.

Illustrious will serve as the flagship for Argonaut 01, which sees 24 ships and two submarines of the Royal Navy deploy to the Mediterranean and the Gulf, where they will participate in Saif Sareea II. Two other Argonaut task groups have already sailed; a squadron of mine countermeasures vessels left on 14 August, followed by the amphibious task group centred on the helicopter carrier HMS Ocean and the assault ship HMS Fearless, carrying Royal Marines and soldiers of 3 Commando Brigade. The RFA Fort Austin accompanying the amphibious force conducted a major rescue operation in the Mediterranean on 2 September.

In Oman, Omani and British teams have been hard at work through the summer preparing for the arrival of over 20,000 British personnel and heavy equipment such as Challenger 2 tanks and AS90 self-propelled guns. These will exercise with a large force from the Royal Omani Armed Forces from 15 September to 26 October. They will be supported by the full range of airpower, with Tornado F3, Tornado GR4, E-3D Sentry, Nimrod, VC-10K tanker and C-130 transport aircraft deployed ashore by the RAF, Illustrious' Joint Force Harrier air group afloat and RAF, Army Air Corps and Fleet Air Arm helicopters. A major asset has proved to be the RAF's new C-17 heavy airlifter, which has been able to deliver up to 100,000lbs of cargo per flight direct to Oman.

LINK

We're very lucky...we needed a task force and we have one already assembled and heading off in the right direction. Of all things to have ready to go!

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Let's bomb the shit out of them.

Considering the task force we already have in the region, we can promise to help rip the living entrails out of the bastards.

This time, let's turn Afghanistan into a cinder.

Regards, Ivan

[Britton J Wingfield]

All I can say is thanks. I hope I don't tear up too much here at work.

[dware]

God bless the UK

God bless America

and God bless you & yours

[Faraday]

Thanks to you, our most reliable ally. With an alliance that spreads from Washington to London to Berlin to Moscow to Tokyo, the scum terrorists and their ideological, monetary, and national supporters are about to be taught a lesson which they will remember for a thousand years.