Page 5 - BNVTA CAMPAIGN Summer 2020

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Remembrance and Reconciliation
I was speaking on the ’phone to one of our Veteran members the other day and asked how he was coping with ‘lockdown’. Like many of you, he is classified as especially vulnerable. His reply has given me much to think about: ‘I’ve had lots more time than usual to remember.’
When we gather as an Association
– perhaps at our Arboretum Memorial or in more local gatherings – we have a formal Act of Remembrance. This is entirely right and proper, because to remember is to pay tribute, and those Veterans who have died, and for that matter their widows and descendants, deserve nothing less. On such occasions, I often speak about the Cross, that central symbol of the Christian faith, and its power to transform suffering into hope and sorrow into joy.
But for those who served, Remembrance is a more constant preoccupation. A social highlight of my year is the annual Christmas Dinner of the Pompey Vets (I live in Portsmouth and the lads are very kind to me!). Each year, long before we have sat down, they are swapping stories and memories, always with a mixture of happy nostalgia and of sadness. We have a moment of silent Remembrance before dinner.
Our Association does not need to be reminded of the obligation to remember; but of course, part of
that remembering involves telling the stories to new generations who cannot even remember the Cold War, let alone nuclear testing.
That is why the July letter from our new Chair, Ceri McDade, is very important. Ceri wrote:
‘The charitable objects of the BNTVA remain as a Charity providing welfare for veterans and their families, research into radiation exposure, and education in the wider community concerning British nuclear tests. We are working by continuing the medal recognition campaign, and access to war pensions.’
Those aims and objectives are of great importance, and Ceri followed them up with an excellent video message which I commend to all readers – you can click here to see it: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=eaXyqFd9IxQ.
I want to make it clear that I offer my wholehearted support to the new Chair and the strong and capable Board of Trustees, all of whom are Veterans or Descendants of Veterans. They are well qualified
to understand and serve the needs of our members, and – which is their main duty – to administer
the Charity with integrity and due diligence.
Ceri and her team are having to grapple with many challenges, among them those facing the whole charitable sector in the light of the Corona virus and what may follow. They deserve the support of all who have the best interests of the BNTVA at heart.
During my thirty-three years as your Chaplain, I have seen the Association weather a number of storms. In each case, it has emerged stronger and more resilient than before. I am sure that will happen again after recent resignations and a spate of unfortunate social media posts.
This leads me to step gingerly into that particular minefield, because when social media becomes a place to share negative thoughts about other people, usually in anger, not only is it very hurtful, it is also liable to ruin your own reputation - a fact that is usually forgotten. Ctd pg 5.
BNTVA REPORTS