First-ever march is a big success

Jul 10 2009 by Jenny Wood, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

First-ever march is a big success

CROWDS lined Perth High Street on Tuesday to witness the first annual Armed Forces’ Day Parade.

Formerly known as Veterans’ Day, the event has been renamed to acknowledge current members of the armed forces, as well as ex-servicemen and women.

Onlookers greeted the Perth parade, led by the Dragoon’s Brit Award-winning Pipe and Drum Band, with cheers and applause as local soldiers, who completed tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan last December, marched alongside local veterans.

The troops were joined by Challenger 2 battle tanks, one of which was positioned outside the City Hall.

Officers helped local children on board the tank whilst other personnel spoke to well-wishers and occupied stands that explained more about their role in the Army.

Provost John Hulbert presided over events, also hosting an evening reception at the Concert Hall, followed by the Ceremony of Beating Retreat, a centuries-old musical tradition originally performed to mark an army’s nightly retirement from battle.

In his speech preceding the ceremony, held outside the Concert Hall, the Provost paid tribute to Mel Jameson, Lord Lieutenant of Perth and Kinross, as well as praising serving soldiers’ achievements both on and off the battlefield.

MP for Perth and North Perthshire, Pete Wishart, said: “The parade is an important way of showing veterans and serving members of the armed forces the respect and recognition of the community for the service that they have given - and are continuing to give – around the world on our behalf.”

Roseanna Cunningham, MSP for Perth, said: “Our own Black Watch are, of course, on a tour of duty in Afghanistan right now and I look forward to their return to Scotland.

“I hope it won't be long before we see them march once more through the streets of Perth.”

The Royal Scots Dragoon Guard is celebrating its return from active service with a series of homecoming parades across Scotland, marching through Perth today for the first time after week-long events in Edinburgh and moving on to Glasgow.