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A British perspective, by Linn Barringer, Woodbridge, Suffolk Service The members and guests of the 81st Fighter
Wing Association (FWA) ended their week of Reunion events
with a visit to RAF Bentwaters. The morning started with a Morning Prayer Service in the church of St. Felix of Dunwich - the new name for what was the base Chapel. Surprises This was followed by a visit to the Control Tower. The Kemball family kindly opened the entire tower allowing the visitors to crawl all over it and to view the display of Bentwaters memorabilia. Surprise number one for the day was the announcement by Bill Kemball that there will be permanent space set aside in the Control Tower for the collection of more memorabilia from the active days of RAF Bentwaters from 1944 to 1993. This announcement was, In effect, the launch of the Bentwaters Museum - see the Museum page for how you can help. The weather was kind - although there was a chilly breeze, there was bright cheerful sun among fluffy clouds. Surprise number two came from the skies, in the form of a Harvard and a P-51 Mustang. Both aircraft carried out a short but exciting display - who can keep their eyes dry when their ears are full of the sound of a Rolls Royce Merlin? - then landed on the main runway and taxied to the tower. (The Mustang was too fast for me to get an in-flight picture!)
Dedication Next up was the dedication and unveiling of the stone marking the memory of and gratitude to those who served at RAF Bentwaters from 1944 to 1993. The unveiling was carried out, most appropriately, by retired representatives of the RAF and USAF, in the presence of a colour guard provided by the British Legion. RAF/USAF representatives perform the unveiling
Lunch Doug and Leslie Deas then provided an excellent buffet lunch in the building that once was the HQ of the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing. The blast-proof Command Centre that stands alongside was also open for visitors to investigate. Some of the intriguing contents include the entrance through decontamination 'air-locks.' Base Tour After lunch, there was a bus tour of the Technical Site of RAF Bentwaters. I followed by car and took the opportunity to take a few more pictures of things I had missed on previous visits - SPs might like the first five... Dinner The traditional end-of-reunion banquet was provided by the Seckford Foundation. The 81st FWA was graced by the attendance of, and welcomed to The Abbey Hall, Woodbridge School, by
The Star Spangled Banner was beautifully sung by Alice Reidy. There were toasts to Her Majesty the Queen and to the President of the United States. To propose the toast of "the 81st" was the excellent speaker Michael Weaver, history teacher at Woodbridge School and self-confessed 'pompous Census Enumerator' - you would love to hear what THAT was all about! Despite the misery of events of the past week Mike was, as ever, able raise a laugh - in fact, very many laughs - with his well-considered and well researched preamble to the toast. The reply to the toast of the 81st was made by General Sandy Moats. This year's achievement award was made to Sharon and Frank Palmer, for their services to organizing 81st FWA Reunion events. They had unwittingly carried the secret award with them, when Chuck Wrobel was unable to make to the trip. The evening ended with dancing, and with many American and British citizens having found many new friends. Menu and Guest List
Guest List - 81st Fighter Wing Association and British Friends
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