Prince Harry Unveils Bastion Memorial at National Memorial Arboretum

“The names of the Fallen shine in gold, as they do in our memories.”

Prince Harry has given a poignant speech at the service of dedication for the new Bastion Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Stafford. He was joined by Prime Minister David Cameron and 3,500 others – including members of the armed forces and the families of those killed in Afghanistan – for the event.

After a moment’s silence and a wreath laying (the Prince’s wreath bore the message, “The fathers, sons, daughters, brothers and sister named on this memorial, will forever be in our thoughts and prayers, as are those who miss them so dearly“), Prince Harry stepped up to the dais and addressed the audience, speaking of the links between the memorial built by British soldiers at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan and the one at the Arboretum.

“And so it is here; this memorial reflects the spirit of the old one, containing as it does the original brass plaques, a large piece of the original stonework, the original cross, Afghan pebble chippings and the last Union Flag to fly over the memorial in Camp Bastion,” he said before adding that “as we sit here amongst friends, we can take comfort in the knowledge that they gave their lives doing a job they loved, for a country they loved, and amongst mates who loved them dearly.”

LINK: Read Prince Harry’s full speech here

The Bastion Memorial is inscribed with the names of the 453 British soldiers killed during the Afghanistan campaign.

The Prince, who was stationed at Camp Bastion during his 2012 tour of duty, also debuted the insignia of his new Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on his military uniform.

After the unveiling, Prince Harry met with family members at a reception.

Prince Harry fist-bumps with Jack Faulkner, whose father died in a Lynx helicopter crash in April 2014, during the reception after the unveiling, June 11

Filed under The United Kingdom
Tagged Memorial, Military, Prince Harry of Wales.