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Army Air Corps History Window Dedication. Contributed by: Mrs Vera HARPER Latest Headlines Royal visit for special service By Corey Ross
PRINCE Charles was greeted by a waving crowd at Salisbury Cathedral when he arrived for a special service of thanksgiving for the Army Air Corps on Friday. The Prince of Wales, Colonel in Chief of the Army Air Corps (AAC), joined representatives from all seven Regiments and independent Squadrons of the Corps, to celebrate the AAC's 50th anniversary. After arriving by helicopter in the Cathedral Close, Prince Charles was greeted by Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd June Osborne, Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, and VIP guests, including MP Robert Key and Mayor of Salisbury, Kevin Cardy. During the service the Rt Revd David Stancliffe dedicated a commemorative stained glass window. The Army Air Corps 'History Window', created by renowned stained glass artist Caroline Swash, consists of two panels depicting the Archangel Michael battling the devil and St Christopher carrying a child, who he did not know was Jesus, across the river. There is also military scenes showing the AAC on operation during the last 50 years and, at the base of the window, two inscriptions - the AAC prayer and a selected passage from Isaiah. The service was conducted by the Rt Revd David Wilkes OBE, QHC Chaplain-General, who spoke in his sermon of the images the window depicted. "They will, for centuries now, raise people's eyes to look at a different way of life. There are many, as you look to those windows, that we will remember." Opera singing sensation Katherine Jenkins sang 'I vow to thee, my country' and joined the Salisbury Cathedral Choir to sing a Latin hymn. The Corps was formed in 1957 and its personnel have served in every major conflict since then. The AAC has become one of the Army's most potent components in any war-fighting operation. 10:38am Monday 19th November 2007 Copyright © Salisbury Journal 2007 Published: 1st December 2007
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