The War Widows’ Association held a Service in our Church on Saturday 14th September to lay up their old Scottish Standard and dedicate and receive their new Standard for Scotland.
The Service was conducted by Rev. Bob Wightman who is Chaplain to City of Dundee Combined Ex-Services Association to which the War Widows are associated. The Lord Provost, Mr. Bill Campbell opened the Service by bringing greetings on behalf of City of Dundee and thanked the War Widows for all the good work they do and wished them every success and happiness in the future. Bible readings were given by Sir Alistair Irwin, Hon President of City of Dundee Combined Ex-Services Association and Mrs. Mary Wightman.
The old Scottish Standard was carried into the Church by a very capable young lady, Able Cadet Abi Barrie who is the Standard bearer for War Widows’ Association in Scotland and had travelled all the way from Inverness with her proud parents. She handed it over to Rev. Bob who laid it up in Dundee Congregational Church for safekeeping and the new Scottish Standard was dedicated by Rev. Bob and presented to Abi for her safekeeping on behalf of the War Widows’ Association in Scotland.
Mrs Sue Raw, Secretary of War Widows’ Association, gave a very poignant and moving talk on the history and the work done by the ladies of the Association and the camaraderie and understanding they have for each other when they meet whether on social occasions or at poignant services such as Remembrance Day. She also touched on the fact that not every War Widow has lost a husband on the battle ground but also through mental anguishes and not being able to cope in the aftermath. She finished her talk by reading a poem written by Mrs Kay Todd an early member of War Widows Association.
We will remember them
We will recall
Our yearly tribute, placing
The hopes and dreams that slowly had to fade
We will go on
The lonely future facing
Knowing too well the sacrifice you made.
We will forget
The loneliness and worry
The pain of parting and the tears we shed
Forget as well
The aching and the longing
Keeping our memories of the times we shared.
We will remember
Heads held high with pride
We will keep vigil
With our men who died.
Between 50 and 60 attended consisting of an eclectic mix of War Widows and families, dignitaries from various organisations, representatives from City of Dundee Combined Ex Services Association and four of their Standards which were also paraded into the Church. We were also delighted to welcome representation from the young Sea Cadets, two of whom uplifted the offering.
We sang three very appropriate Hymns and we left the Service to Vera Lynn singing, “We’ll meet again.
We all met in the Church hall where it was very obvious that everyone enjoyed good food and the most amazing fellowship and friendship which was overwhelming as everyone mixed with one another and am sure there were lots of stories being told from past and present times.
Sue also wished her thanks to be recorded to the Church Office Bearers for allowing them the use of the Church for both the Service and the refreshments afterwards. Also to all Church members who helped in a variety of ways to make the Service and the social time the success that it most certainly was.
Mary
