Page 48 - Wish Stream Year of 2016

or operationally. The low-level, personal connec- tions made at the pilgrimage are dif cult to repli- cate and are long-lasting.
The most surprising part of the pilgrimage for
rienced before, as it was different than pride I’d feel in my own country. It was a pride born of the close bonds of friendship between our two nations, and a deep sense of honour that I was able to take part in that bond in such a demon- strable way.
The International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes was an amazing experi- ence and a unique moment from my time at the Academy. Being a part of the colour guard is something I will look back on fondly for the rest of my life. I hope to be able to return as often as possible, as the experience
there is not duplicated anywhere else. Hopefully I will be able to meet the British contingent next year, this time with my U.S. Army uniform on.
me was my participation in the
and the feelings it evoked. I often
joke about how the Union Jack
on my British uniform is “heavy
like a shackle”, but as I marched
through the streets of Lourdes
behind the magni cent Army
band, I felt an indescribable pride
swell in my chest. The colour
guard was made up entirely of
Sandhurst cadets, and many times we stole the show in our drill boots and dress uniform, with people stopping to take pictures as we marched past. The pride I felt was not something I’d expe-
colour guard
This allowed us
to take a more leisurely pace down the valley.
RMAS on the 58th International
Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes,
19th – 22nd May 2016
OCdt Upton
On 19th May 2016, 26 cadets and perma- nent staff from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst embarked on the 58th Interna-
tional Military Pilgrimage (IMP) to Lourdes. Only a small minority of our contingent had been on the IMP before and as such, very few knew exactly what to expect. What followed was an enriching,
rewarding and fascinating few days in a place of great spiritual importance; an importance felt by all cadets and staff regardless of Christian denomination or religion.
After an initial brief from Fr Gosnell, the British lead of the IMP, and the opening ceremony, the
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