Dundee turns out to salute armed forces
Hundreds of people lined the streets of Dundee city centre on Saturday to pay tribute to the commitment and courage of the country’s armed forces.
- By David Clegg
- Published in the Courier : 05.07.10
- Published online : 05.07.10 @ 09.29am
A week of Armed Forces Day celebrations also drew to a close with a special service at Dundee Parish Church (St Mary's).
The week was also an opportunity to remember the sacrifice of servicemen and women in current and past conflicts.
A military parade from St Andrew's Church to City Square was Saturday's centrepiece, with around 600 personnel from regular and territorial forces, veterans' associations and cadet forces taking part.
Onlookers of all ages broke into spontaneous applause and cheered loudly as three separate contingents of the parade passed by.
The salute was taken from a podium on Reform Street by Lord Provost John Letford; Brigadier George Lowder, new commanding officer of 51 (Scottish) Brigade, and Victor Herd, president of the Dundee Combined Ex-Services Association.
Campaign medals and veteran badges were presented during a ceremony in City Square in front of a large audience gathered in the sunshine.
Mr Letford said he was "honoured" to take part.
"It was a wonderful day. The weather was absolutely beautiful — the parade went amazingly — but the most satisfying part was the people of Dundee turned out in force.
"From the start of the parade to the City Square the streets were thronged. It was a real occasion and I was very proud to be a part of it."
This year is the cadet movement's 150th anniversary and Mr Letford said he was particularly happy to see so many young people involved.
Sea cadets, army cadet forces and Air Training Corps bands were in attendance throughout the celebrations.
Mr Herd said the day "meant a great deal" to the veterans and he was "extremely proud" to be asked to take the salute.
"To go up on the podium with the brigadier and lord provost and take the salute was a real privilege. It was wonderful."
Brigadier Lowder, who has administrative responsibility for all Scottish TA units, said Dundee was "renowned" for supporting the troops.
Supportive
"Dundee is a hugely supportive city of the armed forces and we don't take that for granted. I can speak on behalf of all in the service when I say the level of support is deeply appreciated.
"Just being here today you can feel the warmth of the people in the city."
Other entertainment during the day was provided by various city organisations, including the Dundee Junior Showtime, Christine Low Dancers, Tayport Instrumental Band, Cadet Forces Band, Dorwin Stage School and the Claypotts Castle Primary School singing choir.
There was also a range of stalls and information displays from the Rotary Club of Dundee, Erskine, services charity Help for Heroes and Scottish Vintage Military Vehicles.
A climbing wall, a fast jet simulator and funfair also proved popular, with all the money raised going to Help for Heroes.
The Armed Forces Day special service at Dundee Parish Church (St Mary's) also marked 150 years of the cadet movement.
Tributes
Tributes were paid by the Rev Nicola Frail, 225 Scottish Medical Regiment Chaplain and by the chaplain of the ATC's Dundee and Central Scotland Wing the Rev Graham Taylor.
Lt Col Richard Chadwick of the Royal Army Medical Corps joined the congregation.
He said, "Today we merge the normal congregation and members of the armed forces to give thanks.
"This week has been about celebrating the link between the civil community and the three branches of the armed forces and we are very grateful to the City of Dundee who support not just the soldiers but their families too."
Lord Provost John Letford said the day was the fitting final event of the Armed Forces Day celebrations.
"It is a meeting of young and old to reflect and honour the men and women who make up our armed forces."
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