Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, launched the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA) Jamaica Wings Appeal 2012 Wednesday (Sept. 5), during a ceremony at King’s House.
The Wings Appeal raises money to support former service personnel and their families.
Sir Patrick urged Jamaicans to support the various fundraising activities in support of the men and women, who have served the country, including the Poppy Appeal. “That’s an indication, of course, of the appreciation for the service that has been given not only in the Great Wars but also to our country,” he stated.
The Governor-General said that with the passage of time “all of those veterans would have transitioned and handed over to another generation,” and so RAFA, in the future, will have to realign its focus and priorities.
“But, I suppose you will revise and adopt your constitution and your policies to reflect with at least a connecting nostalgic remembrance of those who had passed on,” Sir Patrick said.
Deputy Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Brigadier Rocky Meade, in his remarks, also asked for support of the Wings Appeal. “We ask for donations and we give a wing as an indication of the contribution,” he stated.
He also extended his appreciation to the Governor-General for the interest he has shown in the welfare of country’s service personnel.
“Sometimes, we get a bit concerned that our country is not sufficiently appreciative of the sacrifice of service members,” Brigadier Rocky Meade noted.
The RAFA Jamaica (580 Branch) was established in 1946 and is a division of the United Kingdom-based charitable organisation, established in 1943, to provide care and support to serving and retired members of the Royal Air Forces.
RAFA Jamaica will also be celebrating the Battle of the Britain Week from September 9 to 15, 2012.
The week of activities begin on Sunday, September 9 with a thanksgiving service at Garrison Church, Up Park Camp, St. Andrew. On Wednesday, September 12, the annual Reunion Dinner will be held at Curphey Place and this will be followed on Saturday, September 15 by a wreath laying ceremony at the Cenotaph, National Heroes Park.
Brigadier Meade informed that the week will be used to raise funds for ex-servicemen.