Sunday 19 October 2008

A military thank you

Last Sunday the main road through the village was closed to traffic. It wasn't an accident or roadworks or anything annoying like that. Instead it was a "thank you" from the three branches of the military to our village.

Why are they saying "thank you"? Well, all the bodies of the soldiers killed overseas are repatriated through the base that is nearby and they have to be driven through my little village on their way to the coroners and when that happens people line the streets and honour the soldiers as they come through. (I am usually at work when this happens and so I have not stood there myself, although I have made mention of this on my blog.)

So, we were treated to a couple of flypasts and lots of marching bands with rousing music! The High Street was packed with people from the surrounding area and there were local dignitaries attending, so it really was quite an event.

Anyway, enough chatter, here are the photos! The whole thing kicked off with a Hercules aeroplane - the Hercules is the most common plane that flies over the village on the way to the airbase, so we are quite used to them!
Then before we had three bands march up and down, a contingent of soldiers from all the regiments that had had fallen comrades repatriated through the village marched up and formed a line on either side of the road.
They were then inspected by this character, who made sure that they were in line!
Only then did we get the marching bands....
Followed by one more flypast, this time by a Globemaster C17. If you have never seen one of these before you wont know just how big this beast is. The photograph does not do it justice, but believe you me, it was massive! It even waggled it's wings as it flew over - wow - it really was quite a sight!
Finally, I want to show you my favourite photograph of the day!


And don't forget...if you want to see more Show and Tell's - go and visit the regular Show and Tell page!!

9 comments:

AnotherDreamer said...

That's really interesting. We don't get anything like that in my town, ever. (That last photo made me giggle a little.)

Lollipop Goldstein said...

Wow--both sad and beautiful at the same time.

Kristin said...

What a wonderful tribute!

battynurse said...

Very interesting. And beautiful.

JuliaS said...

Oh how neat - I really would have enjoyed seeing that. My father was Marine Corps Helicopter pilot - so I have a very soft spot for uniforms.

Thank you so much for sharing the pictures with us.

littleangelkisses said...

What beautiful pictures. How touching a tribute.

Baby Smiling In Back Seat said...

It is wonderful that your military honors its dead so well, and also great that your village facilitates the process. Here in the U.S., some individual communities honor local soldiers, but overall I am horrified at how much the numerous war casualties are swept under the rug by the government and the media. Every death deserves to be honored.

Michael, Karen and Morgan said...

What an awesome tribute to fallen soldiers! Very touching!

Sunny said...

Ooooh, I love those pictures! I always get emotional when I see American soliders in uniform. :)