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CHANGING OF THE GUARD HONOURS DEAD (IN HONOUR OF OUR ALLY)
ITN ^ | September 13, 2001 | ITN

Posted on 09/13/2001 11:54:36 AM PDT by MadIvan

A special Changing of the Guard ceremony has taken place at Buckingham Palace to honour those killed in the terrorist outrage in America.

In an unprecedented move, the military band played the American national anthem first. When they finished a large and emotional crowd burst into applause.

The Duke of York, representing the Queen, and US Ambassador William Farish stood solemnly side-by-side as others in a crowd of well-wishers - eight deep at the Palace railings - waved flags, clapped and cheered.

The two men stared grim-faced ahead as the anthem gave way to a two-minute silence.

Then the band from the outgoing Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, played a selection of sombre US music.

It included Hymn for the Fallen, written by US composer John Williams and used in the final credits of the film, Saving Private Ryan.

The Queen could not make it as she was in Balmoral, Scotland, but she will be attending a special ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral in London on Friday.

Another Royal, the Prince of Wales, was the first person to sign a book of condolence at the US Embassy in London.

He wrote his name in the volume in a gesture of sympathy and solidarity with the thousands of victims of the atrocities in New York and Washington.

He called at the embassy, in Grosvenor Square, central London, on the way back from a visit to Somerset.

After signing the book, the Prince spent about seven minutes talking to staff, many of whom know people affected by the tragedy.

A US embassy spokesman said: "It was a very simple, solemn occasion. He was joined by Ambassador William Farish and his wife. There was a signing ceremony and a formal handshake."

Meanwhile both British and American mourners gathered around an impromptu memorial near the embassy in Grosvenor Square.

An American flag was draped around a tree while scores of bouquets were laid around it. There were many messages of condolence written along with the flowers.

Many mourners were unable to control their grief as they remembered the victims of the devastating terrorist attack.

Andrew McGee, 32, from London said: "The attack was a tragedy. I love Americans and when I saw the pictures I just could not believe it. "I despise the people who did this and I am still in shock really".

Lloyd's remembers

Lloyd's of London, the insurance market, rang its Lutine bell and held a minute silence as a mark of respect to those killed in the US terrorist strike.

The bell, which was salvaged from British Frigate HMS Lutine in the 19th century, was traditionally rung to signal news of a missing ship.

It has been rung to mark other tragedies such as the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.

There was a minute-long silence which will end with the bell being rung a second time. A spokesman for Lloyd's said they were ringing the bell as a mark of respect to the victims in the US.

He said that as a market Lloyd's had several broker offices in the World Trade Centre.

Residents of Lockerbie, the Scottish town which was devastated when a jumbo jet exploded over it more than a decade ago, spoke of their horror at the US terror attacks.

Many townspeople forged close links with the scores of American families whose relatives were killed when Pan Am flight 103 was blown out of the sky in December 1988.

Phil Jones, the chief executive of Dumfries and Galloway Council, said flags would be flown at half mast on all local authority buildings in the area this week as a mark of respect for the American people.

"The people of Lockerbie are appalled by these acts of terrorism in America.

"The scale is unimaginable but the individual trauma of the relatives of the victims is known and fills local people with deep sadness.

"We received comfort and support from America following the Lockerbie air disaster in December 1988 and we want to let them know that they are in our thoughts now and in the difficult times ahead."

And in an area that is used to terrorism, Ireland is to hold a national day of mourning on Friday.


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To: MadIvan
Thanks MadIvan. When you see the Duke, tell him I said thanks!
61 posted on 09/13/2001 1:09:42 PM PDT by morque2001
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To: MadIvan
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!

62 posted on 09/13/2001 1:11:25 PM PDT by Walkin Man
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To: MadIvan
There is an ITN video report, with brief excerpts of the anthem, here.
63 posted on 09/13/2001 1:13:05 PM PDT by untenured
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To: Walkin Man
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
64 posted on 09/13/2001 1:17:45 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: MadIvan
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.
65 posted on 09/13/2001 1:18:07 PM PDT by Billie
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To: All
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

66 posted on 09/13/2001 1:20:53 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: Billie
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
67 posted on 09/13/2001 1:25:43 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: MadIvan
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!
68 posted on 09/13/2001 1:32:26 PM PDT by Don'tMessWithTexas
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To: MadIvan
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/
69 posted on 09/13/2001 1:33:58 PM PDT by CELTICGAEL (Celt) (God Bless America and the UK)
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To: Billie, all
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
70 posted on 09/13/2001 1:35:51 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: Don'tMessWithTexas, All
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
71 posted on 09/13/2001 1:39:36 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: MadIvan

Lord Nelson in the cabin of the Victory.

72 posted on 09/13/2001 1:40:47 PM PDT by Walkin Man
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To: MadIvan
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.
73 posted on 09/13/2001 1:47:19 PM PDT by Don'tMessWithTexas
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To: Walkin Man
"England expects of every man, that they will do their duty."

Absolutely. Let's get the little bastards.

Regards, Ivan
74 posted on 09/13/2001 1:47:39 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: MadIvan
Let's bomb the shit out of them.
75 posted on 09/13/2001 1:59:04 PM PDT by jjbrouwer
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To: All
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

76 posted on 09/13/2001 2:00:26 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: jjbrouwer
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
77 posted on 09/13/2001 2:02:28 PM PDT by MadIvan
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To: MadIvan
All I can say is thanks. I hope I don't tear up too much here at work.
78 posted on 09/13/2001 2:05:29 PM PDT by Britton J Wingfield
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To: MadIvan
God bless the UK

God bless America

and God bless you & yours

79 posted on 09/13/2001 2:07:20 PM PDT by dware
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To: MadIvan
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.
80 posted on 09/13/2001 2:09:28 PM PDT by Faraday
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