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THE STATES assembled on Tuesday, 9th May 2001 at 9.30 a.m. under
the Presidency of the Bailiff ,
Sir Philip Bailhache .
His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor,
Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, K.B.E., C.B., was present
All members were present with the exception of -
Senator Leonard Norman - out of the Island
Senator Wendy Kinnard - absent
Senator Paul Vincent Francis Le Claire - ill
Stanley John Le Cornu, Connétable of St. Clement - ill
Derek Ryder Maltwood, Deputy of St. Mary - out of the Island Shirley Margaret Baudains, Deputy of St. Helier - ill
Philip John Rondel, Deputy of St. John - out of the Island
Robin Charles Hacquoil, Deputy of St. Peter - out of the Island Gerard Clifford Lemmens Baudains, Deputy of St. Clement - absent Jeremy Laurence Dorey, Deputy of St. Helier - out of the Island Celia Joyce Scott Warr en, Deputy of St. Saviour - ill
John Benjamin Fox, Deputy of St. Helier - out of the Island Jennifer-Anne Bridge, Deputy of St. Helier - out of the Island
Prayers
Liberation of the island - statement
Senator Pierre François Horsfall, made a statement in the following terms -
"This special meeting of the States is to mark a very important day in Jersey's calendar, May 9th, Liberation Day. It is the anniversary of the day British troops finally arrived to remove the enemy occupying forces and to restore the lost liberty of the Island's inhabitants. For those Islanders that were here at the time it is a day that will never be forgotten. For those Islanders who are too young to have been here at the time, it is a day that should never be forgotten.
It was a day that brought immense joy to all but for some that joy was soon shattered because, with liberation, also came news of family and friends who would never be coming home because of the terrible consequences of the war. At this time of celebration we should also think of these unfortunate people.
I was in Jersey during the occupation and I remember going to bed with a candle because there was no electricity and being frightened of the dark.
I remember collecting our family's food, with my sister, from the local bakery which served as a communal oven.
I remember seeing columns of occupying troops marching along Victoria Avenue singing their marching songs.
I was, of course, also in Jersey at the time of the Liberation, by then a young boy aged six. I remember it well, seeing my first Tommy, and my first English sailor, who gave me the first piece of chocolate that I remember eating. Without really understanding the great significance of events, I was excited. However, like most other children, we had been spared the brunt of deprivation by our parents who had always placed us first when it came to handing out provisions. What I did realise, however, was that the adults around me were so excited and happy that this was something very special, a truly momentous day. As the years passed and I grew up, I came to realise that the euphoria I had seen stemmed from the restoration of freedom and liberty, things that are beyond value and these days are inclined to be taken for granted.
At this time there are people among us that were adults at the time of Liberation, there are some, like me, that remember Liberation as children and there are even more among us that were not yet born in 1945. In the foreseeable future there will be none who remember that day at first hand.
Nevertheless, I know that the day will not be forgotten, it is too significant in Jersey's history for that, there will still be special sittings of the States and special events in Liberation Square just like those taking place today. We and our successors must ensure that the message of Liberation is handed down to future generations. Today's events are part of that handing down process and that is one reason why they are so important. They are also important because they commemorate the Island's Liberation from an occupying enemy force.
Sir, let us never forget that freedom and liberty are beyond price and should never the taken for granted." THE STATES rose at 9.40 a.m.
C.M. NEWCOMBE Greffier of the States.