Pearl Harbour The Final Salute

Thanks for the enlightenment OF

After a good few hours research at the Libary and other places I have compiled a brief bit about the event:

Southend and The Pearl Harbour Salute

The Southend branch of The Royal Naval Association (SRNA) has conducted a march past & memorial service dedicated to the Japanese attack on pearl harbour on December 7th 1942 ever since 1981, this service continued every year until 2005 when rising cost forced the SRNA to make that years the last one.

The event in Southend was the only one of its type to be held in the United Kingdom and was attended regularly by serving US Navy personnel.

The event came into being after a visit by a retired naval officer from Southend to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbour, during the visit the keepers of the memorial were presented with the SRNA plaque.

In return for this sign of friendship the SRNA were presented with the American Flag that was flying over the memorial at that time a very rare gesture along with this was presented the state flag of Hawaii.

Following the visit and exchange of gifts the SRNA began organising a memorial service to the people who were lost in the attack on Pearl Harbour, the first proved so popular that it was decided to hold the service annually

The event became well respected in the United States with the SRNA service receiving a Citation of Merit from the Secretary of the U.S. Navy in 1987 whilst further recognition was given in 1995 when the SRNA received a personal letter from President William J. Clinton thanking them for remembering the US’ fallen veterans.

Ever since the first March and service the US Navy have sent a small contingent of personnel as have the Royal Navy and RAF with a number of British Veterans also taking part.

The final mach took place on Sunday 4th December 2005 marching from the Magistrates Court in Victoria Avenue down to St Mary’s Church also in Victoria Avenue.

Attending the last mach was: The commanding officer of US forces in the UK Captain Stephen Matts, along with representatives from the US Navy and Air Force.

The Mayor, Councillor Chris Dandridge, representatives from the Royal Naval Association, .detachments from the Air Cadets and Sea Cadets will also be present, The March was led by The Band of HM Royal Marine Band Portsmouth.

The 25th Anniversary marked the end of the march this saw a personal letter sent by the President of the United States George Bush read out thanking the SRNA for the past 25 years of remberance.

I can post up a copy of the letter if you want to read it.

Fascinating – I didn’t even realise something like this was done in the UK at all!

I think those of us who didn’t know that this event took place were in the majority

They never had cadets like that when I was in the ATC

Mine never did when i left a year and a bit ago!

Great pictures 😉 Anna

Thats a Labour Govenmoen and the EU pen pushers for you, another reason for the end of the march is the age of some of the vets,

however there is some good news, the march will stop but a service will continue.

Interesting photos, thanks for sharing them, but geez, is it the polution or the crime rate that now makes it so unsafe and unhealthy to walk down the street in Southend?

What a crock. How can it be unsafe or unhealthy to hold a parade? Ridiculous nonsense.

And as for cost? Blocking a few streets off for a few minutes on a Sunday morning for a parade, well, why does that cost so much? The bean counters should remember the cost of the war in lives, and those that gave their’s to give you the freedom that they’re now taking away.

Insurance? Are they expecting it to turn into a riot? I’m sorry, but these extremes by the law makers seem totally stupid. No wonder so many Poms are now moving to NZ where we enjoy such freedoms you guys are fast losing. End of rant.

I’ll try and get some background the it and get back tou you…

Allways have like a lovely young woman in uniform…

and sehs a red head :p

I may be wrong, but there are quite a few American Navy types based at West Ruislip. I was doing some work there a couple of months ago and was surprised to see USN chaps sweeping the car park one day.

Fascinating – I didn’t even realise something like this was done in the UK at all!

They never had cadets like that when I was in the ATC

Same here!!

It is sad such an apparently long-established memorial services is to end. Am intrigued to know of it’s origins – did it, perhaps, start in 1941 as a sort of “thanksgiving” that the USA were now in the war?

Roger Smith.

Kinda wild….Don’t even know of that many places in the US that have a memorial service to the Pearl Harbo(u)r attack….sad to see it was shut down due to rising costs…..kinda makes ya wonder how they even MANAGE to fly warbirds, does’nt it, when a simple MARCH down the street gets shut down to rising costs….

Very cool on that town’s part that they did so for as long as they did…much appreciated.

M

I’m impressed, I never knew this, where did the USN and USAF personel come from.

They never had cadets like that when I was in the ATC