|
Ref: 205/08 24 June 2008
Ellesmere Port Veterans’ Day Marks Nation’s Debt to Generations of Servicemen and Women
Generations of British servicemen and women who have fought on battlegrounds across the globe will be remembered in Ellesmere Port this Friday (June 27).
The town’s Veteran’s Day – one of 200 similar events across the country - will help raise public awareness of the huge debt owed by the nation to those who risked their lives in conflicts from the Second World War to Afghanistan.
Guests of honour will include a host of civic and military dignitaries and feature Service and Support organisations ranging from The Royal British Legion, Korean War Veterans, 6/10 Squadron and Italy Star Association to the WRVS and WI.
Over 120 pupils from five local schools will represent the young at the town’s Cenotaph ceremony which begins with the sounding of the Last Post and will include a two minute silence in tribute to those who lost their lives in the service of their country.
His Grace, Major General The Duke of Westminster, will present the Afghanistan medal to T A officer Captain Andrew Parry, a hospital nurse who recently returned from operations both there and in Iraq.
He will also present Veteran’s Badges to ex servicemen.
Until his retirement from the army last year, the Duke was the highest ranking TA officer in England and the first ‘Terrier’ to be promoted to the rank of Major General since the Second World War.
Oldest solider on parade will be ex-infantryman Ivan Cutler, aged 86, a veteran of the battle of Monte Cassino.
Ellesmere Port and Neston Veteran’s Day will also feature displays in the town's Civic Hall from all organisations taking part - including the opportunity to sample World War Two food.
There will also be an exhibition of military memorabilia - at the TA HQ., Stanney Lane, including items from the Afghanistan and Iraq campaigns and uniforms on loan from the Aldershot museum.
A full operational field kitchen and a climbing wall will feature in the main Drill Hall and classic military vehicles will be on view in Civic Square.
The day will also be marked by a fly past by a World War Two Dakota Aircraft.
NEWS DESKS ARE INVITED TO SEND REPORTERS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS TO THE CENOTAPH IN CIVIC SQUARE AT 11.45 a.m. for NOON.
For further information please contact Tracy Jones on 0151 3374689 or 07769928474. |