RAISING THE CFIVA STANDARD!

Sunday, July 7, 2002

Weymouth harbour, 16th June 2002. With the CFIVA barjak at the end of the parade.

What made this year so very special was the first appearance in public of the Association's new Barjak (standard), which was carried by John Hawkins at the front of the marching column. All those present were dressed to a very high standard, matching jackets and official CFIVA ties, though sadly, almost no medals from the Croatian or Bosnian governments.

We had arrived separately the previous day and occupied ALL the rooms in one of the Hotels near Weymouth's harbour. We had a very special evening together drinking, talking about old times and remembering absent friends. It was really great to see everybody sitting down to breakfast on the morning of the Parade and assembling in the Hotel car park before walking down to the seafront to participate in the Parade. The barjak was carried by baraktar Hawkins with great dignity by Hawkins who is henceforth confirmed in that role.

Once again we found ourselves in the centre of the Remembrance Ceremony and when we marched off for a kilometre along the seafront, in spite of the rain, thousands of people came out to cheer us and all the other veterans.

After the parade ended we enjoyed a big lunch together in a restaurant at the harbour before some of us set out for the long journey home, amidst much hand shaking and back slapping. Others remained for another night to enjoy Weymouth and the attractions of the International Veterans' Festival. It was a very strong experience for all of us there, made even better because of the larger number of members who attended and the personal qualities of each of those men. We would like to thank Weymouth & Portland Council and the local Royal British Legion for a well organised, thoroughly enjoyable event.

CFIVA