Homecoming parade for British troops from Iraq and Afghanistan attracts thousands

[darrels joy]

Homecoming parade for British troops from Iraq and Afghanistan attracts thousands


Welcoming: More than 300 service personnel marched the streets of Winchester

Thousands of people turned out today to welcome back soldiers from who recently returned from operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
More than 300 service personnel from The Rifles and the King’s Royal Hussars, the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, the frigate HMS Richmond, RAF Odiham and the 4 General Support Regiment marched through the historic city centre of Winchester in Hampshire.
Accompanied by bands, cheers, flag waving and applause the men and women paraded up the medieval High Street, then attended a reception in their honour hosted by the county council.
During the march, two Chinook helicopters from RAF Odiham made a flypast over the city.
Some of the regiments have long associations with Winchester or are Hampshire-based with many stationed at the home of the British Army in Aldershot.
There are more service personnel and their families stationed in Hampshire than in Scotland, according to the county council.
Each unit received a ceremonial scroll and all service personnel were given a glass tankard and a bottle of beer from local breweries.
Each unit received a ceremonial scroll and all service personnel were given a glass tankard and a bottle of beer from local breweries

The parade is the latest in a series of high profile occasions since local authorities were criticised by former senior officers for not doing enough to welcome back forces who have been on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Armed forces minister Bob Ainsworth said today: "Our armed forces really are man for man, woman for woman, the best in the world.
"We should do our utmost to show how proud we are of them, to acknowledge their bravery and the sacrifices which they and their families make on our behalf."

[revwardoc]

I saw the same thing in France and Spain. No...wait...they never left their countries! My bad.

[82Rigger]

Rev,

You're right about France...they had a parade.

But they were all carrying white flags.