21 February 2012

The Bomber Command Memorial book

With construction of the long-awaited Bomber Command memorial underway on the edge of Hyde Park in London, and the grand opening scheduled for June, there is also a smaller but equally important project being put together to, well, basically, commemorate the commemoration.

Just as the bomber crews were supported by many, many more people on the ground the book is intended to tell the entire story of the memorial: the fight for proper recognition; the fund-raising that has seen money come in from governments, communities and individuals around the world; the search and eventual selection of the site; the design and symbology of the structure; and, with publication coming in November this year, coverage of June's opening ceremony. On top of all that will be the stories of the men the memorial honours and, for some of those who attend the ceremony, their reaction to the event and the memorial itself.

There's at least 55,573 reasons why The Bomber Command Memorial - We Will Remember Them will be the most important title to be published this year. A pre-order offer will be available here with 10 GBP from each book going to the memorial appeal. When the book finally goes on sale in November all royalties will be donated. It is important to remember that, while the memorial's construction has been funded, its upkeep also needs to be provided for. That this book will contribute to the future and honour the past is a magnificent prospect perfectly befitting the men who flew east and, if they were lucky, flew home to see the dawn again.

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