C.F.V.A.

TREE PLANTING & DEDICATION SERVICE

AT THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL ARBORETUM

ON SATURDAY 17th JULY 1999
at 11.30 a.m.

Conducted by Commander D. Childs R.N. Rtd
With the Band of the Sutton Coldfield Sea Cadets by permission of the Co Lt. Truelove R.N.R.

Welcome

Hymn

He who would valiant be Gainst all disaster
Let him in constancy follow the Master
There's no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a Pilgrim

Who so beset him round
With dismal stories
Do but themselves confound
His strength the more is
No foes shall stay his might
Though he with giants fight:
He will make good his right
To be a Pilgrim

Since, Lord, Thou dost defend
Us with Thy Spirit
We know we at the end
Shall life inherit
Then fancies flee away!
I'll fear not what men say
I'11 labour night and day to be a Pilgrim

Let us remember all those who served in Coastal Forces, specially those lost on board in the line of duty.

Almighty and everliving God, as we gather to dedicate this tree as a lasting memory to all who served in Coastal Forces, let us give thanks for the deeds and example of those who have been instrumental in guarding our Nation, especially those who died in the cause of justice, freedom and peace. In their name we dedicate ourselves to this most noble cause. Reverently and gratefully.

We will remember them.

ALL: We will Remember them.

A Reading from Psalm 107: Verses 21 – 31

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.

For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble

They reel to and fro. and stagger 11ke a drunken men, and are at their wits' end.

Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distress

He maketh the storm a calm so that the waves thereof are still.

Then are they glad because they be quiet so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness. and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

The Naval Prayer

0, Eternal Lord God, who alone spreadest out the Heavens and rulest the raging of the sea; who hast compassed the waters with bounds until day and night come to an end, be pleased to receive into they almighty and most gracious protection the persons of us thy servants and the Fleet in which we served. Preserve them from the dangers of the sea and of the air and from the violence of the enemy, that they may be a safeguard unto our most gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth and her dominions and a security for such as pass on the seas upon their lawful occasions; that the inhabitants of our Island and Commonwealth may in peace and quietness serve thee our God; and that they may return in safety to enjoy the blessing of this land, with the fruits of their labours and with thankful remembrance of thy mercies to praise and glorify thy Holy Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For all that through Service we have acquired to enable us to give richer and abler service for our green land set in a silvern sea to remind us that Thou art the Creator of all that is clean and lovely and enduring: for the opportunity to serve Thee in the upholding of honesty and chivalry and fair dealing in the earth; for the fitness of body and mind. Thy gift to us and our desire to humbly lay our all upon Thine altar and the altar of our people's weal; for the bravery and the patience and the faith of those who walk the rough and uneven way of life with us; for our own lives bought at the cost of life; and for the high mood of devotion to a cause bigger and better than self revealed in simple men and women around us—for all these we thank Thee as we now dedicate life and talents to Thee.

Let us now reflect in Silence on all our comrades who dwell upon another shore.

A Reading from Isaiah 55: Verses 8 – 13

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, SO are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it

For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle treer and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

The Naval Hymn

Eternal Father strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
It's own appointed limits keep;
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea!

0 Christ whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at thy word,
Who walkedst on the foaming deep
And calm amid the storm didst sleep:
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Holy Spirit who didst brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
And bid their angry tumult cease,
And gave, for wild confusion peace,
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.

O Trinity of Love and Power,
Our bretheren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest fire and foe;
Protect them wheresoe'er they go:
Thus evermore shall rise to TheeV Glad hymns of praise from Land and Sea.

Address:–

Peter Bickmore B.E.M. — Chairman of Coastal Forces Veterans Association.

The Last Post.

Silence

The Exhortation

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.