ANA and ISAF Remembrance Service

  12th November 2011

Afghan National Army (ANA) and British Army come together in the first ever joint Remembrance Parade to honour fallen comrades at Camp Shorabak in Afghanistan on 12th November 2011.

During the one day interlude between Armistice and Remembrance Sunday, Afghan and British soldiers set aside differences in nationality, creed, and language in a moment of common respect for those that that have laid down their lives in a search for peace.

In the first joint parade of its kind in Afghanistan, at Shorabak Camp, near Camp Bastian, troops from both the Afghan National Army and the UK’s 2 Rifles stood shoulder-to-shoulder in a shared mark of respect for those who have given their lives in conflict. 

On every other day 2 Rifles, which form the Brigade Advisory Group, is responsible for training and mentoring the Afghan Army and is focused firmly on the future, a future in Afghanistan that is being shaped by the continued development of their Armed Services.

However, during 2-minutes silence both Afghans and British alike, allowed themselves to reflect on the past, to pay tribute to their fallen friends and colleagues and to reflect on those who have gone before them.

Tributes were led by Brigadier General Sheren Shah, commander of 3/215 Brigade and Brigadier Patrick Sanders, commander of Task Force Helmand and 20 Brigade.

Both lay wreaths during the parade on plinths covered with the respective national flags.

Brigadier General Sheren Shah talked poignantly of the sacrifice made by British troops during their time in Afghanistan.

Brigadier Patrick Sanders spoke of enduring sacrifice made by all nations over the last 90 years and that since in the end of the First World War it had been recognised by an Armistice Day parade.

A roll of honour was read recalling British and Afghan National Army personnel and Interpreters who had lost their lives in the past 12 months in Afghanistan.

The 2 Rifles Padre, Captain Paul Green, led the service in conjunction with an Afghan Mullah, words conveyed in both English and Dari.

A bugler from 2 Rifles played the last post and a field gun fired one round to start the silence and again to end it. Reveille was played at the end of the silence.

The band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (SCOTS Band) played the National Anthems of both countries. The parade ended at 1130.

Lest we forget.

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