 |
| News > Commentary - British Billy celebrates The Queen's Diamond Jubilee |
|
|
| |
| Photos | |
 |
Billy the Cat (aka British Billy) lives in Elveden, a local village about ten miles from RAF Lakenheath. Billy has been around a bit. He came from a rescue centre and prefers not to dwell on the past. He is proud of his country and its heritage and counts his friends and family as hailing from all corners of the British Isles. He is proud to be a “moggy”. Many of his American friends and admirers ask Billy about the things puzzling them about life and culture in the U.K., and if he doesn’t know the answer, he has ways and means of finding out. Feel free to send him any questions, and when he isn’t sleeping or hunting, he’ll try and put a few thoughts together to help you out.
|
Download HiRes
|
|
|
|
British Billy celebrates The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
Posted 6/1/2012 Updated 6/1/2012
Email story
Print story
Commentary by British Billy
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
6/1/2012 - ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Have you noticed there seem to be a lot more Union Jacks, patriotic bunting and royal fervour around at the moment? The United Kingdom is all a-flutter as the nation celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. As a patriotic feline, I make sure I am comfortably seated in a prime position at home to view the plethora of documentaries and news coverage currently being aired on British television.
Marking 60 years of The Queen's reign, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations will centre around an extended weekend, June 2, 3, 4 and 5, 2012.
The Diamond Jubilee website features the latest news, photographs, announcements and historical information about The Queen's 60-year reign. It also includes an interactive timeline, quizzes, puzzles and the official images of The Queen released for the Diamond Jubilee. Visitors can send a congratulatory message to The Queen. For more information, you can turn to http://www.thediamondjubilee.org/.
The Queen was born at 2:40 a.m. on April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street in Mayfair, London. The elder daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary became Queen at the age of 25, on Feb. 6, 1952. Her coronation took place on June 2, 1953. She is married to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and has four children and eight grandchildren.
The first British monarch to mark 50 years on the throne in a significant way was King George III in 1809, and the only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria in 1897.
As a constitutional monarch, Her Majesty does not 'rule' the country, but fulfils important ceremonial and formal roles with respect to the government. She is also Fount of Justice, Head of the Armed Forces and has important relationships with the established Churches of England and Scotland. It is all rather complicated and bound up in constitutional law. The Queen's official website, www.royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/HMTheQueen.aspx, has all sorts of handy information that should help you out if you're interested.
In the long and convoluted history of the U.K., our monarchs have been a colourful band of individuals, with histories and lineages to match, and often times our nation has had a turbulent and violent relationship with some of them.
However, the present Queen is regarded with great affection by the vast majority of the British public. We may be impatient for our governments to change, but many of us find stability, strength, a sense of continuity and great pride in our monarch.
So, I raise a loyal paw to Her Majesty and wish her many more happy and healthy years to come.
For more information on local Diamond Jubilee events go to http://www.lakenheath.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123304013. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
If you have someone you would like to be considered for Liberty Spotlight, please refer to the Spotlight submission page by clicking here.
NOTE: All submissions must be approved by the commander or first sergeant. |
|
| |
| |
This webpage is maintained by the 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office. For questions about what services we provide, contact us at:
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Unit 5203
APO AE 09461-5203
-----
The public affairs office is unable to redirect calls or provide phone numbers. If searching for a phone number on base, please call the base operator.
-----
Calling Base Operator from the continental U.S.:
Comm: 011 44 1638 521 110
DSN: 314-226-1110
-----
Calling Base Operator from within England:
Comm: 01638 521 110
DSN: 226-1110
|
|
| |
|
|
