With a focus on the tribute and joint prayer by all the dignitaries and representatives of veterans and descendants of the Allied forces of Britain and the Commonwealth who stood by the Cretans in May 1941, the customary memorial service was held tonight at the Allied Cemetery in Vlete, Souda.
The memorial service, which was once again organised by the British Embassy, was officially attended by Princess Anne, sister of King Charles III, accompanied by her husband Sir Tim Lawrence and the UK Ambassador to Greece Matthew Lodge.
The Greek government was represented by the Minister of Tourism Olga Kefalogianni and the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Sevi Voloudaki. The princess was welcomed by Mrs Kefalogianni, Mrs Voloudaki, Chania MP Alexandros Markogiannakis, the deputy mayor of Chania Nikolaos Kalogeris, the mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis and the mayor of Platanias Ioannis Malandrakis.
The ambassadors of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, representatives of the leadership of the Armed Forces of the British and Commonwealth countries, representatives of their churches and military convoys, accompanied and honored veterans, family representatives and descendants of soldiers, many of whom traveled to Chania to participate in the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete May 20-June 1, 1941.
In the memorial service, Princess Anne addressed those present, praying, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be filled. Blessed are those who make peace, for they will be called children of God.”
Readings of hymns and prayers were read by the ambassadors present, followed by a conjoint prayer with the Lord’s Prayer, which was heard at the same time in all languages of Greece and its allied countries. A prayer was also read by German Ambassador Andreas Kindle, saying: “This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, to sacrifice one’s soul for one’s friends.”
The national anthems were followed by the national anthems and an honorary flypast by aircraft from 30 Squadron and the Red Arrows of the Royal British Air Force, adding special symbolism to this commemoration.
Emotion prevailed at the laying of wreaths that after Princess Anne and representatives of political and military institutions, descendants of soldiers, members of their families and British residents of Chania, all together left wreaths at the memorial of the Allied Cemetery.
After the event, Princess Anne toured corners of the cemetery and some of the memorials on which the names inscribed have significant history.
Tomorrow, Sunday 24 May, the Princess will visit the Naval Museum of Crete at Fort Firkas, where she will tour the exhibition on the Battle of Crete.
