The Memorial Day celebrations at Madingley went very well, normally it rains hard but this time it was warm and bright but we had about 30 seconds of rain only.

 

The programme was:

 

    Posting of Colors

    National Anthems of both Britain and the USA

    Introduction

    Welcome remarks

    Invocation

    Opening Remarks by the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire (The Queens representative)

    Address by Ms Joanna Doolittle Hoppes, grand daughter of General Jimmy Dolittle -

    this was a fantastic address

    Cemetery History

    Recognition of Veterans

    Moment of silence

    Presentation of floral tributes

    Fly by tribute a KC-135 from RAF Mildenhall

    Firing of Volleys - Taps

    Fly by Tribute F-15C from RAF Lakenheath Missing man formation

 

There were 110 floral tributes laid along the wall of rememberence.  This year we were at No 27 and UK Vice President Mike Maddocks laid the wreath for us.  We missed Norm Willey this year who has been present for many of the recent years events, he has postponed his annual UK visit but we hope to see him later in the year.  Surprise visitor was Fred Garcia who I spotted just before the ceremony.  Fred was in England for just one week and came up specially by train from London.  Fred attends all our reunions and is 88 years old; well done Fred it was delightful to see you (see Photo attached)

 

After the ceremony we laid nine red roses on each of the Burtonwood related graves.  We only know about one of these deaths, 2nd Lt Jay F Simpson who died on 9 January 1944 when test flying a P-47 Thunderbolt over the Wirral in Cheshire. He crashed at Saughall Massey and a plaque to commemorate him was placed near to the crash site in 2005.

 

Those from Burtonwood who died and are buried at Madingley are: