Tributes Paid at Armed Forces Day
Published on:
29
June 2012
Lord-Lieutenant, the Rt. Hon Sir George Reid and Provost Tina Murphy led the tributes as Clackmannanshire honoured Armed Forces Day on Wednesday, June 27th.
People from all over the Wee County turned out to support Armed Forces Day as cadets of four main groups representing the Forces joined with war veterans to mark Armed Forces Day and the Homecoming Parade.
Around 70 representatives marched in front of Alloa Town Hall, parading their colours. They were members of the Territorial Army Cadets, Cadets of the Clackmannan Company of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the Royal Regiment of Scotland; the Air Cadets, Cadets of the 383 Squadron of the Air Training Corps, the Dollar Combined Cadet Force, and local Veterans.
The parade marched onto Marshill and halted in front of the Town Hall where they formed under ready for inspection under the direction of Parade Commander, Major Craig Hubbuck. The parade were then presented to the Lord-Lieutenant and the Provost, who carried out a full inspection of the three ranks.
Provost Tina Murphy then addressed the parade and said: "We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for attending and for your contribution to this year's event for Armed Forces Day 2012
"It is lovely to see such a good turnout to pay tribute to the Armed Forces and fortunately the weather was fairly kind too.
"I am pleased that commemorating Armed Forces day is an annual event in Clackmannanshire.
"Our Armed Forces make a tremendous contribution to our country and this is Clackmannanshire's opportunity to show its support for the extraordinary men and women in the County who have made an outstanding contribution to society by serving in the Armed Forces."
The Provost made special welcome of the local veterans who had joined them at the parade.
The Provost added: "I am also delighted to welcome senior pupils from our secondary schools,
It is important that we remember the men and women of our armed services who put their lives at risk, all over the world, for the sake of the nation and so it is pleasing that so many local people have made the effort to take part in this important ceremony."
The Provost then confirmed that Clackmannanshire Council are in discussion about a voluntary agreement of support through an Armed Forces Community Covenant.
She explained: "The aim of the Covenant is to encourage mutual support between civilian communities and the Armed Forces Community. Once agreed with our partners this agreement will help to build on the Armed Forces support that already happens throughout Clackmannanshire."
Piper Cadet Lance Corporal Andrew Cunningham then played the Royal Salute for the raising of the official Armed Forces Flag by the Lord-Lieutenant.
Major Craig Hubbuck completed the march off parade after which guests, veterans and cadets were invited to the Provost for a reception in the Town Hall.
Major (Retd) Bob Elliot BEM Regimental Secretary, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, said: "I am more than sure that the Veterans on Parade and those in the audience were hugely appreciative of the support provided by Clackmannanshire Council and the great sense of pride was evident, I was delighted to see so many young people on parade in support of the event and would congratulate everyone who played a part which made it a special day for all involved."
Invited guests were then welcomed inside the Town Hall by the Lord-Lieutenant, who also paid tribute to Britain's fighting forces and to the many who had lost their lives fighting for the nation.
Sir George said: "Generation after generation, men and women have gone forth from the Wee County to put their lives on the line in service of their country.
"In recent years, to Afghanistan, to Libya, to Iraq. To the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Malaysia, Keyna, Cyprus, Korea. To the first and second World Wars. And, beyond that, to the Boer War, the Crimean War and the earlier conflicts of Empire and Europe.
" Without that, the forces of Fascism would have come to Britain. Without that, the Falklanders would be living under alien occupation. Without that, girls would be banned from going to school in Afghanistan, music would be forbidden in Afghanistan, young men would be dragged out of their houses and hung publicly in the streets. The fight for freedom is unending.
Sir George made special mention of 91-year-old Jean McAllan, the oldest veteran at the ceremony, who had fought during the Second World War and was involved in the search lights in the south of London as German pilots tried to bomb the city.
Mrs McAllan, was given a wonderful ovation by the assembled guests.
Sir George concluded by welcoming Cadet Sergeant Eleanor Taylor as Lord-Lieutenant's Cadet in Clackmannanshire for the next year and presenting her with her badges of office. The cadet acts as aide to the Lord-Lieutenant at all uniformed events and at royal and other official visits to the county.