Ysterplaat Honours the Fallen
Date: 11 May 2012
By Dean Wingrin
AFB Ysterplaat held its annual Air Force Memorial Service today in which the airforce recalls the memory of thousands of its members who gave their lives in service for their country in times of war and in times of peace.
May is traditionally the month in which the South African Air Force Memorial Service is held at the Air Force Memorial on Bays Hill, outside Pretoria. Localised services are also held at airforce bases around the country. The first service was held in May 1950 and since then was annually observed with the exception of 1961 when South Africa became a Republic.
The Memorial Services honour those members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Senior SANDF and political leaders, military units, veterans associations, industry organisations and family members are afforded the opportunity to lay wreaths to commemorate the approximately 3 000 fallen SAAF members.
During the service, the SAAF, next of kin and various veteran organisations laid wreaths. With a member of the Cape town Highlanders playing a bagpipe in the background, Maj Gen Tsoku Khumalo laid a wreath on behalf of the Chief of the Airforce. Brig Gen N Greyling laid a wreath on behalf of the SAAF Association. As the SAAF Association is presently holding its' annual Congress at AFB Ysterplaat, 17 crosses, one for each branch, were also presented.
The accompanying photographs were taken at the Memorial Service held at AFB Ysterplaat on 11 May 2012.
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them
Nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning -
we will remember them
