A short address was given by the Queen Alexandra Royal Naval Nursing Association Chair before the Dedication of our Standard began by the Honorary Port Chaplain, of the Mission to Seafarers in Portsmouth.

The furled Standard was taken to the altar by a member of the QARNNS Association and the Chair of the Association requested the Reverend, on behalf of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Association, to bid God's Blessing on the Standard.

The Standard was unfurled with its tassels freed, so they hung from the head of the pike.

The Chaplain responded they were ready to do so and placed the Standard on the Altar continuing with "We are gathered here to receive and bless this Standard, the solemn symbol of our loyalty and with it ourselves, our service and our lives. May the Standard never be unfurled save in the cause of justice, righteousness and truth." A prayer followed and then facing the Standard the Chaplain said "To the Glory of God and as a symbol of our duty to him and of our service to his Majesty the King, we receive and bless this Standard in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

A final prayer was said before the Chaplain removed the Standard from the Altar and handed it to the Standard Bearer. Following singing of two verses of the National Anthem, the dismissal and Blessing, the Standard Bearer and the clergy lead the way out of the Church.
 
Our gratitude goes to Elaine Grist for the wonderful photographs which commemorate what was/is an historic moment for the QARNNS Association