‘Proud to be associated with tribute’

On Sunday, November 11 the officers and members of Lurgan District LOL No 6 held an act of remembrance at their Covenant Memorial Obelisk in the grounds of Brownlow House.

The obelisk, unveiled in September, to commemorate the centenary of the Ulster Covenant, is also a memorial to the dead of the two World Wars and other conflicts and to those Brethren from the Lurgan area who were murdered during the Troubles.

I was deeply honoured to be invited by the District Master, Wor Bro David Martin, to lay the wreath at the memorial on behalf of the all the Orangemen of Lurgan District.

This simple ceremony, based on prayer and a portion of scripture, once again illustrated to everyone that Orangeism is more than a parading organisation, but a fraternity that conducts small discreet gestures, which mean so much to so many people.

I am proud to have been associated with this event and would pray tribute to David Martin and Sam McCleary for organising this fitting tribute to all the people of Lurgan.