JEANETTE ERVINE, widow of former Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) leader David, was in the front row of the Methodist East Belfast Mission Hall when the UVF read its statement that it had "totally and irreversibly" decommissioned its weapons.
She was in tears.
TV crews and broadcasters weren't allowed film or record the reading of the UVF and Red Hand Commando statement which concluded with "For God and Ulster" and was signed off by "Captain William Johnston, adjutant". Capt Johnston is the UVF's equivalent of the IRA's P O'Neill.
"It's a big day all right," said Billy Hutchinson, David Ervine's old mate in prison and in politics, after the UVF did its business and moved off stage to allow the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) people do the talking. He was interlocutor on behalf of the UVF with Gen John de Chastelain's decommissioning body. There were a lot of middle-aged and older men in the room in dark suits but few teenagers or people in their 20s. Hard men, people who would have caused serious grief over the past 20, 30, 40 years, most of it inflicted on the Catholic community.
Hutchinson, taking questions, was asked were Catholics and others who might fear the UVF now safe? "I think they've been safe for quite some time," he replied.
"What this does is that it validates that and it also sends out a clear message that the war is over, the weapons have been put beyond use, and we move on." The hard men applauded.
So, "ordnance totally and irreversibly beyond use", according to Capt Johnston, with Hutchinson, the most serious of loyalists expanding, "The war is over".
Time will tell if they are correct. But the omens must be good. The UVF is a cohesive organisation. Its language was simple, direct, clear and welcome, and there is independent verification of the disarmament.
The tears and the happiness tinged with sadness and emotional honesty of Ervine lent the occasion added force and credibility. "I feel very, very emotional because David worked hard for this day to come, and now it is here. David gave his life for this and I feel this is his day," she said. "Perhaps our people will now come of age."
We then walked from the mission hall to the offices of the Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), political wing of the UDA, to receive the UDA statement. As expected, with such a disparate organisation, this was less clear cut.
"The struggle has ended," said the UDA. It was "putting" its "arsenal of weaponry permanently beyond use". A careful and sceptical eye will be fixed on whether that decommissioning will include an end to drug dealing, extortion and racketeering in which many UDA members are heavily involved.
"This process will be completed within the previously notified timescale," said the UDA. There is at the very least an expectation that the UDA's job will be done by next February when legislation that allows paramilitaries move weapons for decommissioning without prosecution is to run out.
All sides insisted there was "no cash for guns" but equally there is an expectation of payback, and of more money flowing into deprived loyalist areas - largesse that must be accounted for very carefully to keep it away from the gangsters.
Hutchinson got the balance right in explaining it: "In the scheme of things it is historic. I don't expect people to jump up and down and have parties in the streets. To me it is a very historic moment. It also frees up the governments to move on.
"It cements the peace process, and it also cements democratic society. No longer can people accuse loyalist guns of holding things back."
