Magnificent turnout to honour our heroes

Jun 30 2009 by Jeff Holmes, Paisley Daily Express

BRAVE servicemen and women proudly marched into Paisley Abbey as the town staged celebrations to mark the first Armed Forces Day.

More than 500 people, including many local dignitaries, packed into the historic church on Saturday to honour our heroes.

They included soldiers young and old, members of the Navy and Air Force and dozens of veterans from Erskine.

And, as a fitting mark of respect from a higher authority, the sun shone brightly on the Abbey.

Veterans who had served in the Second World War were joined by troops who have seen active service in more recent conflicts, such as those in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Cadets

The Territorial Army was also represented, as were teenage cadets and the Salvation Army, as well as members of the British Legion.

The beautiful Abbey was a fitting venue for the service to mark the first official Armed Forces Day, which has replaced Veterans Day in the calendar.

Guy Clark, the Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire and a former Coldstream Guard, told the Paisley Daily Express: “It was only right to give our brave men and women the opportunity to parade proudly in their home towns and we can see by the amount of folk who’ve turned out to welcome them that this was the correct decision.”

The Reverend Alan Birss, minister at Paisley Abbey, opened the service and there were also contributions from Renfrewshire Provost Celia Lawson and Paisley Bishop Philip Tartaglia.

Army chaplain Stephen Blakey spoke about the sacrifice made by serving troops who simply “go where they’re told” and how many of them have missed important events, such as the birth of a child, to defend their nation.

He added: “I saw 16 years of active service and lived in nine different homes around the world. You go where you’re required. It’s part of military life.

“You may miss the birth of a child and come back to find your son or daughter crawling or walking. It is a huge sacrifice to make.

Tough

“It is a tough life but Scottish soldiers have an advantage over others because of their unstinting sense of humour.

“In the face of adversity, Scottish soldiers always have a wisecrack at the ready to take the heat out of potentially difficult situations.

“And that old trademark scowl is never far away. In fact, you start to worry when it’s missing or when the colourful language is missing.”

Following the closing colour parade, Provost Lawson joined church leaders, the provosts of East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, and Mr Clark for a wreath-laying ceremony at Hawkhead Cemetery in Paisley.

She said: “It was an important day and, thankfully, it went very well. We’re all very pleased that months of planning helped the whole event run smoothly.

“We had more than 500 people in the abbey and the service was wonderful. It will certainly become an annual event.”

Council Leader Derek Mackay added: “It’s very important to remember our Armed Forces and, last year, I went over to the battlefields of France to acknowledge the five recipients of the Victoria Cross from Renfrewshire.

“I have maximum respect for everyone who serves in our Armed Forces.”

Douglas Alexander, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, also attended the town’s Armed Forces Day celebrations.

Commitment

He said: “My thoughts today are with the young men and women from Renfrewshire who I met in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while serving with the Argylls.

“Their dedication, professionalism and commitment to duty is surely worthy of celebration in such a public manner.

“This service at the Abbey was an opportunity for us all to recognise these men and women and the sacrifices they have made.”

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