Appeal to honour our troops with parade
WEST Norfolk is ready and waiting to pay its tribute to courageous local soldiers who have been fighting in Afghanistan.
This week saw the return of the last contingent of Royal Anglian Regiment troops after their six-month tour of duty in Helmand Province.
Marking their homecoming has already been discussed by West Norfolk Council.
Its leader Nick Daubney said: "We are very clear about what we do owe to these young people who have been to Afghanistan and the difficult job they have been doing. We are very keen to show our appreciation," he said.
The regiment was granted the freedom of the borough in 1983, but has not been on parade here for ten years – it has only been here twice since 1983.
The council has written to the commanding officer explaining that the borough wanted to show its gratitude and asking for his advice on the most appropriate way to do it. Suggestions included a freedom parade or a welcome home party for the soldiers and their families but Cllr Daubney said he could not speculate on what the regiment's response might be.
Private Daniel Gent, of the Royal Anglians, who returned home to Wereham from Afghanistan at the weekend, welcomed the possibility of a freedom march in Lynn. He said: "It's a great idea. You do feel proud to be in your local unit."
NW Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham said Lynn was the second town of Norfolk after Norwich and it would be "very appropriate" to hold a parade or reception for the soldiers. "It would show our appreciation for the sacrifices they have made," he added.
Pte Dent and his family are also supporting a memorial fund started by the regiment for soldiers who were killed and injured during the fighting in Afghanistan.
His grandparents, Maurice and Anne Gent, of Denver, are asking guests at their golden wedding celebration next month to make a contribution to the fund instead of giving them gifts.
Borough Mayor Kathy Mellish said instead of sending Christmas cards from the mayor and corporate cards from the council this year, a donation will be made to the Memorial Fund.
On the possibility of a parade in Lynn, she said: "We must respect the soldiers' privacy. We will never know what they have been through and the first thing they will want to do is get home and spend time with their families. We want to do something for them but for the moment we have left it in the hands of their commanding officer."
Lynn News readers who wish to support the appeal can send donations to Major R C Barrett, Treasurer, 1 R Anglian Agfhanistan Memorial Fund, Elizabeth Barracks, Pirbright, Surrey, GU24 ODT. Cheques should be made payable to CB 1 R Anglian.
What do you think? Write to: Letters, Lynn News, Purfleet Street, King's Lynn PE30 1HL; or email: malcolm.powell@lynnnews.co.uk or leave your views below.
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Weather for King's Lynn
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
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