The multi-faith service and event, which welcomed more than 100 guests was the first open-air service in living memory at the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The service was held alongside an installation of 42 black metal ‘Unknown Tommy’ figures, which recognised those who have lost their lives in conflict in each of the Anglican Communion’s 42 provinces covering the 165 countries around the world.
Reverend Angus Aagaard, who led the service and is Chaplain to the 3rd Battalion Military Intelligence unit and an honorary Major in the Battalion, said: “This service recognised that remembrance is a shared experience in communities around the world, both past and present.
Reverends Tosin Oladipo and Angus Aagaard were joined in the service by Padre Rabbi Ariel Abel, CF – Merseyside Armed Forces Cadets, Liverpool; Mandeep Kaur, MBE – Sikh Chaplain to the Armed Forces; Acharya Krishan K Attri, MBE – The Defence Hindu Chaplain and Imam Asim Hafiz, OBE – Islamic Religious Advisor, CDS & Service Chiefs.
Lisa Farmer, RBLI’s Deputy Chief Executive, added: “We owe our thanks to Lambeth Palace for kindly hosting this wonderful event for us. It was an honour to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Archbishop’s representatives and faith leaders to recognise those who lost their lives, as well as those who needed help and support when they returned from conflict.
We raised over £3,000 which is just incredible and will help us continue our vital work with supporting veterans. |