At times over the past couple of months I have been so down. My son said 'If you build it, they will come' and so it was a Field of Dreams. More than 200 people turned up from all over the world. A very young air cadet carried the memorial book into Church, followed by the Vicar and then the standards, each with their own escort. There were too many people to sit down and they stood in the aisles and outside the Church. We sang some hymns, had some readings, read the Roll of Honour (at which point my husband cried - along with about 200 other people). We processed outside where the Military Marching Band led the standards and us down to the cemetery. Gosh, I felt so priviliged as I walked behind that band and those standards surrounded by veterans with their medals gleaming. We had wanted them and the standard bearers to be transported - we had laid on a mini bus - but no, they marched every step of the way. I think every armed force was represented and nearly every nationality. We had relatives from New Zealand and Poland and every part of the UK. The Police lined the way and stood to attention and saluted as the standards went past them. It was just incredibly emotional. After the dedication of the memorial, the last post was played, the standards lowered, a lone voice read We shall not grow old and then silence followed by reveille. The standards slowly raised. Finally the lone Lancaster appeared - flew over our heads and turned to the woods where the Lancaster went down near my house. He turned virtually on his side so his wings were vertical and came round in a tight loop right over the crash site. Then they levelled off and flew over our heads and went round the other way to take in the other crash sites. Then we heard the engines and the Lanc appeared over the top of the trees. He flew slowly over us and waggled his wings. At that point every single person was ! in tears. What a fitting tribute to the brave men who gave their lives for us. There were more brave men with chestfuls of medals and tears streaming down their faces. It is a day I will never forget and I feel so priviliged to have been part of it. Thge TV cameras recorded the event and New Zealand relatives of a crewman met the man who pulled their loved one out of the plane. Then we had a buffet reception and these new found friends went off the site to see where F/sgt Rowe was killed. F/sgt Rowes brother had travelled all the way from NZ just to see this and say goodbye. I went to the memorial today to look at the wreaths and there were lots of little bunches of flowers that villagers and passers by were placing round it as well. When we said We Will Remember - we meant it! Di