PARATROOPER MEMORIAL DAY ON 5 MAY 2019
PARATROOPER MEMORIAL DAY ON 5 MAY 2019
I was humbled and honoured to have been invited by Brandon Morris to speak to the men of the Legion of Associated Airborne of RSA (LAARSA) (https://www.facebook.com/groups/177481062357791/) at the Paratrooper Remembrance Day Parade at the National War museum, Johannesburg.
When Brandon and I met at the Rooiplaas gathering in April, we had time to briefly exchange a few words and share some ideas along with Nico Beneke, Hans Human, and Chappies van Zyl. He also asked if I would be willing to speak at the next LAARSA event.
The Paratrooper Memorial Day serves as the anniversary on which South African paratroopers who fell in service of South Africa are remembered. It is good to know that ex-comrades still honour the fallen who, in many instances, were still just young boys but who had willingly and voluntarily subjected themselves to the trials and tribulations to become paratroopers. These young boys soon became tough, fighting men.
Brandon messaged me a few days later and reminded me that I had agreed to speak to the men and their families on 5 May. He also hinted that I should discuss Fourth Generation Warfare as my Rooiplaas talk had generated some interest in this topic. Secretly, I suspected Brandon actually wanted to know more of how the sappers had been the forefathers of 1 Para Bn…but I will leave it at that.
Callie Roos gave a great sermon and reminded us all of the unity we need to strive for. Dave Barr and I gave our short talks to the gathering. This was followed by the Last Post, one minute’s silence, and then Reveille. The laying of the wreaths and the paying of respects was particularly poignant to every one there.
Despite the joy of old comrades meeting up again, the day was sombre and respectful. The paras paid their respects, and generally spoke of the great sadness they felt that men from their units had paid the ultimate price. I am sure St Michael, the patron saint of the paratroopers, was watching, as were those paratroopers who had been lost in battle.
I took to the time to visit my old uniform and equipment from my 32 Battalion Reconnaissance Wing days and say ‘Hello’. (Col Ossie Baker, the curator in 1982, asked me to donate my uniform to the National War Museum when I was done with operations). It is still on display there.
My talk done, I had to return to Pretoria and could not join the paras at the Steel Helmet Moth Hall in Parkhurst.
Here are some photos of the day….visit Eeben Barlow’s Facebook