Honouring the fallen soldiers, part of the mission of the Air Force Base Langebaanweg.
The memorial service parade took place on Friday 6 May at the memorial wall within the base. Due to Covid-19 restrictions this yearly commemoration could not take place in 2020 and 2021. Nine members who have passed away between 2019 and 2022 were commemorated by the Air Force Base. Families and loved ones of those who passed away attended the service to show their respects. Other dignitaries included the Saldanha Bay Municipality Mayor André Truter, municipal manager Heinrich Mettler and other dignitaries of the military.
Chaplain Mandla Mtila opened the service with a sermon and scripture reading, encouraging members and families.
Valentia Rensburg, wife of the late class 2 warrant officer Mark Rensburg who passed away in July 2021 said her husband used to attend the memorial service parade as he saw it as a honourable tradition. “It was a privilege for me to honour his life as a soldier in this manner and to keep his memory alive,” she said.
Lize Linndard, the mother of civilian member of the force shared her gratitude towards the base for honouring the life of her daughter Emerenshia Linnard who passed away in March 2022.
Wilma Serfontein, the wife of the late sergeant Mark Serfontein said the memorial service parade meant a lot to her and her family and also said she appreciates the Air Force Base.
Wreaths were laid by the families, SAS Saldanha, the South African Air Force Association and other stakeholders.
For those who are left behind, Mtila said, they should follow the good example of those who are no longer here.
Mtila concluded that these members were men and woman of integrity who left a legacy behind.
