The Memorial Project
The appeal launch
The eagerly awaited design for the Armed Forces Memorial was unveiled on 6 April 2005 at the Imperial War Museum in London. The audience, who were in the main drawn from the many veterans organisations including the War Widows of Great Britain, were the first to see the design - a stunning piece of architecture in its own right - created by Liam O'Connor and his team, which includes the sculptor Ian Rank-Broadley. Senior officers, including the Chief of the General Staff, represented each of the Services and members of the Opposition Defence Spokes Team were also present.
The appeal was launched by the Chairman of the Armed Forces Memorial Trust, Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt KCB. The Trustees were particularly grateful for support from John Simpson CBE, the BBC World Affairs Editor who introduced the guest speakers and spoke about his own experience of working alongside the Armed Forces in various trouble spots around the world. The speakers were the Minister for Veterans, Ivor Caplin MP, Simon Weston OBE, veteran of the Falklands Conflict, the new Chairman of the War Widows Association, Jenny Green OBE and the architect Liam O'Connor.
The Chairman and the Trustees of the Armed Forces Memorial Trust would like to pass on their thanks to all those who attended and hope that the public will now support this important and worthwhile project by making a donation to the appeal. This new national memorial will provide a lasting tribute to the thousands of Servicemen and women who have been killed on duty in the Service of their country in the last 60 years - their loyalty and dedication to duty should be remembered by all of us - today, tomorrow and forever.
