INTERNATIONAL VETERANS DAY
TORREVIEJA, ALICANTE, SPAIN
Newsletter 2 - 11th Jan 2007
Veterans Day 2007 – In the heart of the International Community.
The first full meeting of the Torrevieja Veteran’s Day committee was held at the Nautilus restaurant, Punta Prima on Thursday 11th January 2007 commencing at 1615, finalising at 1800hrs, in attendance were:
a. Rod Millington RNA
b. Baz Winwood RNA
c. Peter Padley RBL
d. Royston Kear RBL
e. Brian Hewett RAFA
f. Don Cole RAFA
Welcome to the second edition of the Veterans Day newsletter, designed to keep you informed of events planned for Torrevieja.
UK Government held the first ever UK Veterans Day on 27th June 2006, this proved to be a complete success, as one hopes all future Veterans Days will be. There is funding from the MOD UK, for National events, but alas funding for overseas projects is not available. This is being queried by the local RBL.
Veterans Day event criteria.
1. Promote Veterans and the contribution they have made, and continue to make to the country they live in, and in particular the local community.
2. Promote the support available to UK Veterans through UK Government, local charity, and local voluntary organisations.
3. Involve the whole veterans community, which is diverse in both background, and age. Events should not be restricted to one era, such as just the Second World War.
4. Engage youth of the community through schools, and youth groups.
Key messages.
a. The Veterans Community is highly diverse; all ex-Service personnel are Veterans, whatever their age or Service experience.
b. Veterans are special, not just because of their service, but also because of the contribution they continue to make, to their community, and civil employers, through the transferable skills they have acquired.
c. A wide range of support, and advice is available to Veterans, through the public, charity, and the voluntary sector.
The events should be a family friendly free admission programme, with lots to see, and do for all ages.
The expected march past/walk (the salute will hopefully be taken by an invited VIP, along with the Mayor, and his representative), plus a church service (held at the anticipated event site. Both Adult and Youth bands/Choirs, should be prompted to participate of all nationalities. A painting competition will be organised through local schools, both Spanish and International, asking children to depict Veterans in action in all theatres of conflict since time began! Prizes for this event (three age groups) will come from a local company sponsorship (i.e. Atlas, Masa, Parador, or the local press corps, for instance)
If possible, another event could be a “tug of war” challenge, on a knockout basis, providing sponsorship can be found, team sizes to be decided later. A Youth boxing tournament is also a possibility, if sponsorship, can be found, along with sponsorship of the ring required (very popular in the UK). One more, a Youth “Flamenca” competition – come on you sponsors!!!.
As the event will be International, and a great benefit to the tourism industry of Torrevieja, the Mayor’s office will be approached, to help with funding, and local support in the form of providing space for the event (consensus of opinion was that the preferred site if Eras De La Sal, anticipated attendance around four to five hundred persons), a marquee, PA system, food/beverage cover, along with both Police/Medical cover, plus public liability insurance cover. The committee agreed that if available Spanish military involvement should be sought. Both the Spanish Flag and the Union Jack, as well as local ex-Service local organisations Standards will also be paraded, if permitted.
Proposed VIP personnel for event:
British Consul
British Military Attaché
Mayor of Torrevieja, and G Knight( International Committee).
Plus nominated representatives of Sponsors of the event.
The local press corps must be mobilised to help promote this important event, Kay Padley volunteered to communicate with local press, TV and radio via the form of an article forwarded to all concerned. This will be done at a very early stage, immediately after the Mayor’s meeting/approval, to gain maximum publicity for this historic event on the Costa Blanca.
We are trying to arrange for a Warship to berth offshore during the event (unlikely), failing this, maybe the local yacht squadron could assist (I am sure there are ex-Service personnel amongst them?).
Further information is also available from the following web sites:
veteransagency.mod.uk
veteransday/index.htm
torreviejarna.info
torreviejalegion.info
mysite.wanadoo – members.co.uk/rafacostablanca
We are still in the early stages of planning for this years event, further Newsletters will appear, as more details emerge. Attached is a brief on the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge.
