501st CSW presents gift for Queen Elizabeth II, honor 60 years of service

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  The commander of the 501st Combat Support Wing made a presentation to Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire on the occasion of Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee May 22 at the base theater here.

Col. Brian Kelly, on behalf of the men and women of the 501st CSW, presented Mr. Hugh Duberly CBE, a plaque to honor 60 years of service by Queen Elizabeth II. Students from Alconbury Elementary School also honored Her Majesty with artwork depicting their representation of the Diamond Jubilee.

"I am extremely pleased to receive these gifts for Her Majesty the Queen," Mr. Duberly said. "A lot of thought and love has gone into these gifts."

The idea to express the gratitude of the men and women of the U.S. Visiting Forces came from the British-American Committee at RAF Alconbury.

"As a community we wanted to say thank you and congratulate Her Majesty the Queen," said Sir Keith Pearson, Chairman of the British-American committee at RAF Alconbury. "This is another way that allows us to celebrate the warmth and friendship of our two nations."

The special relationship forged between the United States and Great Britain is something Mr. Duberly believes should be remembered during the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee.

"It occurred to me the fact we are celebrating 60 years is because you came here 70 years ago," Mr. Duberly said. "I want to thank all Americans for that."

With 2012 encompassing the Olympics, Paralympics, Diamond Jubilee and marking the 70th anniversary of U.S. Visiting Forces as a visitor to Great Britain, Colonel Kelly believes it's a special time for Americans to be here to celebrate and strengthen the bond of the two nations.

"Her 60 years on the throne has encompassed nearly the entire time American Forces have been here," said Col. Kelly. "So it's no surprise to me that Her Majesty the Queen is leading the way in forging this relationship."

When Mr. Duberly sees the queen during her jubilee he plans to let her know of the great work being done here.

"I will bring the good wishes of all the people who live and work in Cambridgeshire," Mr. Duberly said. "I am very grateful you have made these gifts to give me to give to Her Majesty the Queen, and that you can share in this celebration. The interaction between our two nations is very important."