Abingdon mayor calls for residents to support troops' homecoming parade (From Herald Series)

Abingdon mayor calls for residents to support troops' homecoming parade

11:37am Monday 23rd November 2009

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TOWN mayor Patricia Hobby is urging residents to show their support for Abingdon-based soldiers by turning out for their homecoming parade on Wednesday.

She wants people young and old to line the town centre streets to wave flags and cheer “our boys and girls” who have spent much of the last year on tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

More than 300 servicemen and women from 3 and 4 Logistic Support Regiments at Dalton Barracks will march through the town centre.

They will exercise the right of the Freedom of the Borough bestowed on them by carrying fixed bayonets and flying their regimental colours.

Mrs Hobby said: “The parade gives the people of Abingdon a chance to show their appreciation of the work the troops have been doing to help make our country more secure.”

She said: “We are also thinking about those who have died in this conflict and hope their families eventually find some peace in the sacrifice their relatives have made.

“I wish all the troops a peaceful Christmas and thank Dalton Barracks for its close relationship with Abingdon.”

The parade will begin at Abingdon fire station in Ock Street at 10.30am and proceed along High Street to the Market Place, where the soldiers will stand in formation as speeches and medal presentations are made by the director of the Royal Logistics Corps, Brigadier Murray, Mrs Hobby and the Vale of White Horse District Council chairman, Alison Rooke.

The troops will then march along the top end of East St Helen Street, before returning to County Hall via Lombard Street, West St Helen Street and High Street, where the civic party will take the salute. They will then make their way down West St Helen Street.

Following the parade, the soldiers will be dismissed, in order to meet up with their families and attend a service of thanksgiving in St Helen’s church.

Lance Corporal Justin Stanley said: “It means a lot to all squaddies when you see people out at the parade showing their support.

“It lets us know when we’re out on tour that they’re backing us. We’d be very grateful to anyone who comes along.”

Mrs Rooke said: “We're delighted that we will have the opportunity to show our thanks and appreciation to the troops from Dalton Barracks who serve our country with such honour. They are all much valued members of the Vale community.”

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