Dr Liam Fox visits the National Memorial Arboretum
13 November 2009
Dr Liam Fox MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, today met staff and volunteers at the National Memorial Arboretum, near Lichfield, and toured parts of the 150 acre site.
The centrally-located Arboretum, which is supported by The Royal British Legion, is home to 160 memorials devoted to the theme of Remembrance and has seen the planting of over 50,000 trees.
Dr Fox was shown footings for the Basra Wall, which is being re-erected at the Arboretum following the drawdown of Her Majesty's Armed Forces from Iraq earlier this year. The Wall will be re-dedicated in May 2010.
He also took the opportunity to pay his respects at the Armed Forces Memorial, the nation's tribute to the 16,000 Service men and women who have died on duty, or as a result of terrorism, since shortly after the end of the Second World War. The towering Portland Stone walls of the Memorial are added to annually, and include the names of the 66 men and women lost in 2008.
Following his visit, Dr Fox said: "My visit to the Arboretum has been both poignant and spiritually uplifting. It's a fascinating place and I've been bowled over by how much has been achieved since it opened in 2001.
"This is a place where the Nation comes to remember and the public's strong support for our Armed Forces has been witnessed here with the rapid rise in visitor numbers to the 300,000 a year mark.
"I support the Arboretum's urgent £8 million Appeal, which will see the redevelopment of the visitor centre and the creation of new education and interpretation facilities. I'm particularly keen to see the construction of the Veteran's Pavilion, a striking building in which over 200 Remembrance events can be held throughout the year."
For more information:
Andrew Baud, The Royal British Legion, 07775 715775, andrew.baud@talapr.co.uk
Donations to the Future Foundations Appeal can be made via www.thenma.org.uk or by sending cheques payable to the "National Memorial Arboretum" to: The NMA Future Foundations Appeal Office, 1 Fitzgerald Road, Mortlake, London SW14 8HA.
