On Sunday May 14th the Memorial Association for Free Czechoslovak Veterans ( MAFCSV)was very proud to lead the Remembrance event at Brookwood
. I think the word to describe it this year was WOW!
. I think the word to describe it this year was WOW!So many wonderful parts that all came together to make a special day. Firstly, the weather, which was blue skies and sunshine
after weeks of grey clouds and rain, and secondly the Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps brought their Corps of Drums section
. They played brilliantly and added another dimension to their already smart parade.
after weeks of grey clouds and rain, and secondly the Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps brought their Corps of Drums section. They played brilliantly and added another dimension to their already smart parade.We were delighted to welcome for the first time His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Michael More -Molyneux, and his wife Sarah. It was such an honour for us. The Ambassador for the 
Czech Republic H.E Marie Marie Chatardová and her husband were with us for the second weekend running, (after the recent visit of Czech President Petr Pavel) and this time we were pleased to be joined by The Deputy Ambassador for the 
Slovak Republic, Marcel Babicz and his family.
Czech Republic H.E Marie Marie Chatardová and her husband were with us for the second weekend running, (after the recent visit of Czech President Petr Pavel) and this time we were pleased to be joined by The Deputy Ambassador for the Slovak Republic, Marcel Babicz and his family.Our speeches covered the importance of continuing to remember our veterans, and the varied ways we can do this. We reflected on the war in 
Ukraine and how this has impacted not just them, but also the Czech and Slovak Republics, and what they are doing to support their European neighbour. We all agreed that peace in our lives, and a free and democratic world are still something we must all continue to fight for and protect just as the veterans did over 80 years ago.
Ukraine and how this has impacted not just them, but also the Czech and Slovak Republics, and what they are doing to support their European neighbour. We all agreed that peace in our lives, and a free and democratic world are still something we must all continue to fight for and protect just as the veterans did over 80 years ago.I don’t think I can ever remember so many tributes placed in front of the Czechoslovak Memorial, alongside that from the Czech President. Thank you to everyone who brought one, including the 
Canadian Embassy who were unable to attend in person. Wreaths were laid by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, The Ambassador for the Czech Republic, The Deputy Ambassador for the Slovak Republic Marcel Babicz, representatives from the 
Australian, 
Hungarian and 
Polish Embassies, and the MOD, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 
The American Battle Monuments Commission, Friends of the Czechoslovak Memorial Fountain
, Polish Airmen’s Association, Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps and The Secret WWII Learning Network, and Reed School CCF.
Canadian Embassy who were unable to attend in person. Wreaths were laid by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, The Ambassador for the Czech Republic, The Deputy Ambassador for the Slovak Republic Marcel Babicz, representatives from the Australian, Hungarian and Polish Embassies, and the MOD, Commonwealth War Graves Commission, The American Battle Monuments Commission, Friends of the Czechoslovak Memorial Fountain, Polish Airmen’s Association, Frimley and Camberley Cadet Corps and The Secret WWII Learning Network, and Reed School CCF.One of the main aims of the MAFCSV is to engage with the next generation
. It is something we believe passionately about, for without them there will be no one in the years to come to tell our veterans’ stories and continue the commemorative services. Thank you to all the staff and parents of the Czech and Slovak Schools and Clubs who work with us to do this. On Sunday we were joined by representatives from The Okenko School London, Czech School Surrey, Slovak Parents in Berkshire, and Czech School Berkshire and Slovak School Warwick & Czech and Slovak Club. We were delighted to have them lead the Czech and Slovak national anthems and place specially designed wooden crosses on the Military headstones and see their floral tributes.
. It is something we believe passionately about, for without them there will be no one in the years to come to tell our veterans’ stories and continue the commemorative services. Thank you to all the staff and parents of the Czech and Slovak Schools and Clubs who work with us to do this. On Sunday we were joined by representatives from The Okenko School London, Czech School Surrey, Slovak Parents in Berkshire, and Czech School Berkshire and Slovak School Warwick & Czech and Slovak Club. We were delighted to have them lead the Czech and Slovak national anthems and place specially designed wooden crosses on the Military headstones and see their floral tributes.Special thanks to Tomas Jones who helped lead the Act of Remembrance
and Ruth Moore who played the Last Post and Reveille
. At the civilian plot after wreaths were laid by the Czech and Slovak Embassies, the Okenko School London read our Prayer for Peace in front of our International Tree of Peace.
and Ruth Moore who played the Last Post and Reveille. At the civilian plot after wreaths were laid by the Czech and Slovak Embassies, the Okenko School London read our Prayer for Peace in front of our International Tree of Peace.Scout Leader Martin Pavlis and our Scouts from the Czech Republic were with us once more. We are pleased that this is becoming an annual event and we appreciate the effort they make to attend and parade their standard with the veteran’s standard at the memorial. Mockrát děkuju!
Special mention has to go to Scottish RAF veteran Jack Dunlop
, who drove all the way down from Aberdeen to be with us and lay a wreath on behalf of the Scottish RBL!
, who drove all the way down from Aberdeen to be with us and lay a wreath on behalf of the Scottish RBL!It was wonderful to see everyone come together at the end for refreshments 
at the Estamine in The Trench Experience in Eddie Jones Garden. An incredible venue where there was a chance to catch up with old friends, and an opportunity to make new ones, and share connections and memories.
at the Estamine in The Trench Experience in Eddie Jones Garden. An incredible venue where there was a chance to catch up with old friends, and an opportunity to make new ones, and share connections and memories.Eddie and I were thrilled to receive our own Australian ‘Slouch’ hats from Australian Embassy Defence representatives WO Kerri Shepherd-Ashby and her husband Shane, for our work with the veterans. I think the appropriate response is ‘Nice one!’
Thank you to everyone who gives up their time and energy to make these events happen, especially our Czech and Slovak Embassies. Each of us is a part of the MAFCSV family and we all have our part to play in helping these events to go from strength to strength.
To ensure we can continue to undertake these in the future we need your support. Please can we ask you donate whatever you can through online banking. Our details are:Account Name: Memorial Ass. for Free Czechoslovak Veterans
Account No: 40953568
Sort Code: 30 99 09
Thank you!
