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Flying the flag for the Armed Forces

Tuesday 30th of June 2009

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Rowlands Castle turned out in force to pay tribute to the men and women who serve this country at the inaugural Armed Forces Day.

Soldiers of 4 Close Support Battalion Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) marched through the village on Saturday 27 June at the event, organised by EHDC and Rowlands Castle Parish Council.

Vice Admiral Sir Roy Newman, the Lord Lieutenant's Representative, welcomed REME, military veterans and their families to the Rowlands Castle. The REME soldiers marched from the Kings Stone down into the village centre while local people who lined the route, applauded as the troops made their way into the village.

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The Kings Stone marks the spot where King George VI held a parade and addressed troops about to depart for the D-Day landings on 22 May 1944. Havant Thicket and Rowlands Castle were used as an army assembly point prior to the Normandy Landings and at the time were filled with troops and equipment.

Cllr John Smith, Chairman of EHDC, said: "East Hampshire is very proud of its links with the military and REME in particular.

"Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for us, the people of East Hampshire, to say thank you to the service men and women past and present, and their families, for the sacrifices they make on behalf of the country.

"While events such as Armed Forces Day often conjure up images of the World Wars, I also want to acknowledge the contribution made by today's service men and women. It is worth remembering that more than 16,000 servicemen and women have been killed or injured since 1945 in conflicts including Bosnia, the Falklands, Afghanistan and Iraq. More than 900,000 ex-service people live with a disability."

Major Jez Manning of REME raised the official Armed Forces Day flag to complete the ceremony. Afterwards the soldiers and members of the community had an opportunity to meet on the Green over beer and sandwiches.

Armed Forces day is a new national initiative to celebrate the contribution of the men and women armed forces to the country.

Wally Griffin Veteran      John Smith, EHDC Chairman