The preparations have been largely completed, there is an
air of confident expectation and of excitement, and all the
omens point to a hugely successful 314th anniversary of the
Battle of the Boyne celebrations on the Twelfth writes an
Orange Standard correspondent.
The intention is to build on the great success of last year's
Twelfth rated by almost everyone as the most magnificent and
most successful for many years.
It was a Twelfth marked by huge crowds of the marchers at
all the rallies, and by the legions who watched from the footpaths.
It was a completely peaceful Twelfth, highly disciplined and
stewarded, and enjoyed the support of everyone.
In the year since, most Districts have reported increases
in membership and enthusiasm has been high. It was a real
boost to the Order and its followers, and all are determined
to keep the momentum going.
Many hundreds of young Orangemen have been initiated into
the Order since, and some brethren who resigned for various
reasons in recent years, have returned.
The Orange Order is rightly perceived as the best bulwark
Ulster Protestantism has in resisting the inroads of Roman
Catholicism and ecumenism, as well as being in the forefront
of defending Northern Ireland's position within the United
Kingdom and the Commomwealth.
In spite of inherent divisions within Unionism - divisions
which are viewed with dismay by most Unionists and people
loyal to the Union - there is still an unyielding determination
on the part of the majority of people in Northern Ireland
to remain British.
The continued visits of members of the Royal Family to the
Province gives people here a feeling of deep satisfaction.
The 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings also provided
a timely reminder to people of the sacrifice made by so many
Ulstermen, a high proportion of them Orangemen, in the cause
of liberty and peace.
Northern Ireland did not sit on the sidelines during 1935-45
and its key role in the war, especially the Battle of the
Atlantic was recognised by British war leader Winston Churchill
and his grateful cabinet.
Those momentuous events have been captured on television
screens and beamed into millions of homes, and the part played
by Ulster regiments, notably the Royal Ulster Rifles, has
been greatly admired once again.
The United Kingdom is still at war, in Iraq, and a sizeable
number of soldiers from Northern Ireland are playing their
part in that conflict - another example of the great military
tradition in this part of the world.
It has been a good year for Orangeism, and a lot of hard
work and organising has been evident on the ground as the
Order moves into different fields, and examines many ways
of advancing its cause and that of Ulster Protestantism.
The hope and prayer of all people of goodwill is that this
will be another Orange spectacular, and one that can be enjoyed
by people throughout the community, with no feeling of animosity,
tensions or bitterness.
|
