AGM & VJ Day Commemorations 2024

All members welcome to VJ-Day commemorations and COFEPOW AGM, NMA Sunday, August 18th, 2024

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COFEPOW will mark the 79th anniversary of VJ-Day on Sunday 18th August this year. This commemoration of the Allied victory over Japanese forces at the end of the Second World War, will allow people to come together to remember the heroism and suffering of their forbears, most of whom have now passed out of living memory.

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It is important that as many people as possible visit the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire, to join the Annual General Meeting and meet old and new friends.This will be followed by a wreath-laying at the FEPOW Memorial Building and Grove at 1.00 p.m. and then a Service of Remembrance back at the Aspects Conference Suite at 1.30 p.m. Refreshments will then be served, before everyone makes their journey home.

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The trustees of COFEPOW would be delighted if you can attend this year’s commemoration service. The COFEPOW AGM, which will be held in the Aspects Conference Suite (situated where the marquee used to be) is usually very well-attended, as members can listen to progress made within the COFEPOW charity in furthering its aim of establishing and maintaining memorials and promoting educational material around the country.

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The annual Accounts will be reviewed, and attendees will see where donations are allocated and how the charity is run generally. The trustees and other officers of COFEPOW will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

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Tea/coffee and biscuits will be available after the AGM, when you can chat and get to know other members. There will also be a range of COFEPOW-branded merchandise on sale at the AGM to help bolster the charity’s funds.

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The AGM will commence at 10.30 a.m., and should terminate at around 12.00 noon. At around 1.00 p.m., members will be able to make the short walk to join the service at the FEPOW Memorial Building and Grove, whereafter the laying of wreaths will take place.

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If you think you would like to attend the AGM and/or the Remembrance Service, it would help us in reserving seating and organising catering, if you could reserve your place as soon as possible. Reservations can be made with Chris Wills, COFEPOW Event Organiser, 74 The Greenway, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B73 6SG. Tel: 0121 244 7263 or email events@cofepow.org.uk

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Agenda of the day’s events National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Nr. Lichfield, Staffordshire.

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• 10.30 - The AGM will commence in the Aspects Conference Suite
• 12.00 - Break for lunch
• 13.00 - Salute at the FEPOW Memorial Building - The Last Post
• 13.30 - Return to the Aspects Conference Suite to attend the VJ-Day Commemorative Service
• 14.30 - Tea/coffee and biscuits and a chance to gather and meet friends
• 16.00 - Finish