Thailand Reunion 2012

A smaller party of OCA members attend the Ubon 2012 Remembrance Ceremony.
The Ubon Remembrance Ceremony for 2012 fell on a Sunday. Unlike the UK, the Thai's hold the ceremony on November 11th without regard to it being a Sunday or not. Although numbers were down this year, the members representing OCA were enthusiastic and happy to be doing so. The event seemed to have grown again with greater numbers of Thai's in attendance. Unusually for the time of year the heat was oppressive with the Thai's themselves showing discomfort. The newly arrived UK falangs were glad of the shade.
Jean and Bill Edwards arrived at the Thung Si Muang park with Neville Wareham and John Hamnett the other out of town members attending the ceremony, Ray Hough and Jim Curtis completed the OCA attendees. As both reside in Ubon their journey to the ceremony was somewhat shorter.The occasion had started at eight o'clock in the morning with a parade of scouts, cadets and other public service organisations through the streets of Ubon, led by a marching band. Our presence was not required until a short time before the arrival of the Governor.
Tom Nagler acts as interpreter to the Thai's explaining the intracancies of the Remembrance Ceremony.
John Hamnett and Jim Curtis stand with Thai veterans of the Korean ans Vietnam wars.
Another sign of the growing importance the locals are attaching to the Ceremony, is the introduction of two excellent English speaking Interpreters. They worked hand in glove with Tom Nagler (above) and Jim Curtis, to ensure the correct protocols were followed. Jim and Tom can take great credit for a job well done. They had attended a number of meetings to help the organisers plan the event. Even so, the absence of the school band meant no musical interludes were performed when the programme was delayed or disrupted.
The attendance of the school band in 2011 proved a big hit for both the Thais and the falangs. Neil Campbell's bagpipe interaction with the band creating rare musical moments culturally, which are unlikely to be repeated. Organisers please take note. Our enquiries revealed a four yearly term of office for the Governorship meant a different Governor arrived, laid his wreath and made a speech. He then took his place in the dignitaries marquee to observe as the falangs laid their wreaths.
The Govenor of Ubon delivers his speech.
Ray Hough bows in respect as he lays the FEPOW wreath.
The 'Falangs of Ubon' were first of the foreigners to lay their wreath. Ray Hough followed to lay the wreath for FEPOW. he created a murmur amongst the crowd, as he bowed Buddhist style in respect for the dead, before departing back to his position in the marquee. Thanks Ray, for your participation and continued support of OCA's involvement in the Ubon Remembrance Ceremony.
Ex-WO1 William Edwards ACC, marches proudly behind the young Thai cadets who carry the Operation Crown wreath. This was the third and consecutive time Bill and wife Jeanne have attended the Ubon Remembrance Ceremony, the only husband and wife partnership to have done so. Here's to you carrying on the tradition next year folks.
Bill Edwards bows in respect to the Operatiom Crown wreath.
Neville Wareham accompanies the Royal British legion wreath to the presentation easel.
Neville Wareham escorts the Royal British Legion wreath to it's stand. This was Neville's second time representing OCA at the ceremony.
Bouquet's were presented by Jeanne Edwards to a descendant of Mother Ubon and by Jim Curtis to the Governor's Wife.
Jeanne Edwards and Jim Curtis present a bouquet of flowers to Mother Ubon's relative and the Governor's wife.
Jim Curtis in his role as Master of Ceremonies addresses the participants of the Ceremony.
At 11.00 hrs Jim Curtis read
THE EXHORTATION
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them
The final act of the ceremony was for the Governor and Jim Curtis to release a dove, as a symbolic act of hope for a peaceful future.
The Governor and Jim Curtis release a dove as a symbol of peace.
A final photocall for some of the main participants in the ceremony.
Some of the main participants of the ceremony answer a re quest for a group picture.
A colourful image to finish this chapter of our on-going OCA story.
A colourful image of the FEPOW and Operation Crown wreaths.