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Military veterans stress reconciliation at Pretoria memorial service

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Soldiers who paid the ultimate price to bring peace to South Africa and the continent have been remembered at a memorial service at the Wall of Remembrance at the Voortrekker Monument outside Pretoria.

The service – presented by the Council for Military Veterans Organisations (CMVO) – is one of the largest annual remembrance events.

Hundreds of people, including the mayor of Tshwane, Solly Msimanga, politicians, family members as well as military veterans and serving members paid tribute to those soldiers who had died for their country as well as those who had fought and returned home. Retired generals Constand Viljoen, Georg Meiring and Denis Earp were also present.

Speaking on the theme of peace and peace-making, retired Major General Johann Dippenaar, the Chairman of the CMVO, stressed the need to encourage reconciliation and brotherhood between all organisations of the armed forces.

As an example, he highlighted the reception by Angolan officials of the recent 61 Mechanised Veterans Association tour by 94 military veterans in 25 vehicles to the former battlegrounds in Angola.

In particular, Dippenaar – the first commander of 61 Mech – noted their warm welcome by the governor of Cuando Cubango province at Cuito Cuanavale which included a guided tour to the town’s memorial site and the surrounding battlefields.

He spoke of the touching memorial service by 61 Mech’s former Chaplain Fanus Hansen at the Cuito River bridge on 15 May that had many war-hardened men in tears. It was an especially moving moment when all those present threw hundreds of poppies into the river that has witnessed great suffering and death.

He said seven of the nine commanders of 61 Mech who are still alive, were in Cuito Cuanavale for the event. Wreaths were also laid at the Cuito memorial site and the 61 Mech banner was placed in the museum.

Dippenaar said if such inspiring friendship can be forged between past enemies across international borders, it can be done across factional lines in South Africa.

Before the wreath-laying ceremony several doves were released as symbols of peace. Mayor Msimanga, representatives of the FF Plus, the Democratic Alliance as well as military veterans’ groups such as the Savannah Veterans Association, 31(201) Battalion, 32 Battalion and others as well as the Angolan military attaché laid wreaths.

Adding emphasis to the message of peace and reconciliation, CMVO Chaplain retired General Marius Cornelissen stressed that making and maintaining peace is not easy. He said this was something the country needed – more than just paying tribute to those who paid the ultimate price, there was a great need for everyone to be peace makers in a world and land where peace and tolerance were needed.

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