HOESPRUIT: AFB honors the fallen heroes
The Air Force Base (Hoedspruit) held a memorial service for members who passed away while working for the Air Force on Friday May 5 in Drakensig
Over 120 people comprising of uniform members, defence civilians, families and friends honored the fallen heroes at the ceremony occasioned at the base memorial site.
“Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn, in the morning and at the going down of the sun, we will remember them”, stated Chaplain R.
Modise, as he comforted the families and friends.
According to the Officer Commanding Air Force Base Hoedspruit, Colonel Avin Ramchuran, the arrival of the base colours representing the sections where the deceased was working, as well as the laying of the wreath, was a true symbol that portends the highest respect given to those who died.
He further stated that the event happened annually during the month of May.
The obelist (memorial site) was unveiled by Major General A.H. Repsold on 26 May 91, concluded Colonel A. Ramchuran.
The fly by of the Oryx helicopter, the singing of the hymns and the blowing of a trumpet were part of the order of the day which signifies love and honor to those who died.
The obelist has a plaque on it that incorporates former members of the South African Defence Force(SADF), the Transvaal Bophuthatswana, Venda and Ciskei (TBVC States) Defence forces, and members of the non statutory forces: Mkhonto we Sizwe (MK), Azanian People’s Liberation Army(APLA) and members of the South African National Defence Force
(SANDF).
Colonel Ramchuran laid the wreath on behalf of the Chief of the South African Air Force, while, Lieutenant Colonel W.
Esterhuizen laid the wreath on behalf of members of Air Force Base Hoedspruit.
“ For what so ever you need put your trust unto God, I encourage those remaining to exercise unity among each other, be loyal to the organisation, be professional in whatever you do, be devoted to duty and carry yourselves in the manner that will be accepted in the society”, Concluded Modise.
