It was a privilege to hear the family stories of Marina and learn about how her brother made the funeral, then revisited the next day with their father, whose travel plans had been delayed.

It is hard to describe how one feels deep inside when you stand at the final resting place of someone you have admired and looked up to all your life. For many whose loved ones are laid to rest close by, it is easy to take a visit for granted. For those who must make special journey’s from overseas it means so much. They take time to try and remember the sights and sounds because who knows if they will get another opportunity to be there again.

Being able to explain our commemoration events and how we honour our veterans in the actual place they occur, gives visiting families the chance to appreciate what we are trying to accomplish. They were very appreciative that the MAFCSV continue to care for her grave and that people in the UK come and visit her. Only a week or so ago I visited Marina’s grave with Slovak Defence Attache Colonel Peter Sliacky and Klaudia Volnerova their Culture and Education Secretary, to lay flowers.

The Pauliny family also visited the National Czechoslovak Memorial and the headstones of the Liberator KG867 flight crew, who died in the same crash that are buried in the CWGC section. They were very interested to hear the story of Edith and Zdeněk Sedlák.

It still amazes me how one family’s historical records so often contain information that would help another connect with their own. Sometimes we aren’t even aware of the significance of what we have in our own papers and photographs. This is why it’s so important we share information wherever possible.

I shall always remember today. For the chance to make new friendships, the opportunity to share a special moment, for the reminder of why the work of the MAFCSV is so important.