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Great Britain: A heroes' return - troops home after Afghan tour (Many photos)
Kent News (U.K.) ^
| March 29, 2008
Posted on 03/29/2008 3:16:26 PM PDT by Stoat
Well-wishers lined the streets of Maidstone yesterday to welcome Kent soldiers back from Afghanistan.
Around 330 troops from 36 Engineer Regiment marched through the county town in a cold and wet homecoming parade.
Major General Keith Cima presented the men with medals for their sixth-month tour of the dangerous Helmand Province.
The general said that the troops had, helped to make Afghanistan a better place for her people.
You have undergone the fear, the fun and the challenge of operational service, he added.
You can look anybody straight in the eye because you have been there and you have done it.
Is it worth it, what we did in Afghanistan? Im absolutely, unequivocally clear that the answer to that is yes.
Around 500 friends and family of the soldiers watched as the men were given medals at Invicta Park Barracks.
Maj Gen Cima said it was important to spare a thought for the two soldiers from the regiment who died during the tour: 22-year-old Lance Corporal Jake Alderton and 29-year-old Corporal Ivano Sean Violino.
Good men, good soldiers, he said. I know that they wont be forgotten.
In December, the regiment was involved in the recapture of the Talibans most strategically important stronghold in the region, Musa Qala. They have also helped the Afghan people build new infrastructure such as schools and bridges.
Major David Garner, 39, regimental second in command, told KOS Media that the soldiers had done an exceptional job.
He said: Its a time of thanksgiving for the safe return of the majority of the regiment, but also, of course, a time of memorial for our two lost colleagues.
It was very difficult losing them so early on in the tour. It made it very hard for the families back here, but the support provided by the Army to both friends and families has been exceptional.
The officer said that having Gurkha troops in the regiment had helped when liaising with the Afghan people because of their knowledge of the Pashto language.
After receiving their medals, the troops marched from County Hall, through Maidstone and past the Town Hall, before attending a thanksgiving and commemorative service at All Saints Church. Around 2,000 people lined the route.
There was a reception for the troops, their family and friends at their barracks in the afternoon.
Melanie Larner, from Brompton, near Chatham, is married to one of the soldiers who was on the Afghan tour, Staff Sergeant Scot Larner.
The mother-of-two said: Its so important that were here to support not only him but the other soldiers who are here and those who havent come back.
The troops are now on leave for six weeks.
Around 550 soldiers from the Canterbury-based Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the 5th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland, were sent to Afghanistan this month.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: afghanistan; britain; england; greatbritain; kent; maidstone; supportourtroops; troops; uk; uktroops; unitedkingdom; welcomehome
Also:
Our boys return as heroes Wellwishers welcome The Sun HomePageNewsCampaignsOur Boys
Our Boys return as heroes
AROUND 2,000 wellwishers line the streets to welcome back brave troops from Afghanistan
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Picture gallery Streets packed for soldiers' parade Kentonline.co.uk
Thousands of people lined a Kent town's streets today to welcome home troops from Afghanistan.
Maidstone's 36 Engineer Regiment marched through the town today with cheers, applause and shouts of "welcome home" ringing in their ears.
Some of the 320 soldiers were so moved by the turnout, they had tears in their eyes as Maidstone mayor, Cllr Richard Ash, took the salute outside the town hall.
Pupils from nearby schools, shoppers and people working in the town all stopped what they were doing to show their support for the regiment, who returned from Helmand Province last Friday, after six months away.
A service at All Saints' Church followed.
Cpl Ivano "Sean" Violino and L Cpl Jake Alderton both lost their lives during the deployment. Maj Gen Keith Sima said the day's events offered a time for reflection partly to remember the two soldiers who did not return with their comrades.
Maj Gen Sima said: "They were good men, and good soldiers who I know will never be forgotten."
The 36 Engineers march through Maidstone town centre
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School children eagerly await the soldiers' arrival at All Saints Church
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The Gurkas march down Mill Street
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Eyes left at the town hall
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Some of the soldiers can't help showing their pride as they march through the town
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Marching down Week Street
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The soldiers snake their way through the streets
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The Engineers take the salute at the town hall
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Crowds of well-wishes cheer the troops
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Left to right: Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Allan Willett, Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Richard Ash and Maj Gen Keith Sima take the salute
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1
posted on
03/29/2008 3:16:29 PM PDT
by
Stoat
To: All
2
posted on
03/29/2008 3:17:01 PM PDT
by
Stoat
(Rice / Coulter 2012: Smart Ladies for a Strong America)
To: Stoat
Welcome back lads, bloody good job! ;-)
To: Stoat
nice to see this after some of the other stories from Britain about homecoming troops. Are the Gurkhas being integrated into regular units now?
4
posted on
03/29/2008 3:22:33 PM PDT
by
balch3
To: Stoat
Welcome Home Soldiers and Thank You.
5
posted on
03/29/2008 3:29:19 PM PDT
by
mdittmar
(May God watch over those who serve,and have served,to keep us free)
To: Stoat
That was the most heartwarming thing I have seen in weeks.
Rule, Britannia!
-ccm
6
posted on
03/29/2008 3:38:37 PM PDT
by
ccmay
(Too much Law; not enough Order.)
To: Stoat
This is just the stuff that goosebumps are made of.
7
posted on
03/29/2008 3:40:34 PM PDT
by
freema
(Proud Marine Niece, Daughter, Wife, Friend, Sister, Cousin, Mom and FRiend)
To: Stoat
Great Pics and Thank Tou to our British cousins.
8
posted on
03/29/2008 3:48:51 PM PDT
by
SoCalPol
(Don't Blame Me - I Supported Duncan Hunter)
To: All
9
posted on
03/29/2008 3:52:03 PM PDT
by
Stoat
(Rice / Coulter 2012: Smart Ladies for a Strong America)
To: balch3
nice to see this after some of the other stories from Britain about homecoming troops. Agreed!
Are the Gurkhas being integrated into regular units now?
Apparently so:
THE BRIGADE OF GURKHAS
At first the three Gurkha regiments raised were "irregular" that is while they were armed, trained and commanded by British officers they lacked the status of being part of the regular army proper. It was the mutiny of the Bengal Army in 1857, when the survival of British power in India hung by a thread, that led to the full integration of Gurkha regiments. All Gurkha units remained loyal to Britain, and their actions, particularly during the siege of Delhi, led to them being placed on the regular order of battle. They were also given the rank 'Rifleman' rather then 'Sepoy'. and were awarded the perhaps odd but unique privilege of access to British canteens, out of bounds to all other non-British troops.
Also:
BBC Inside Out - Gurkhas
The Gurkhas' mission - "To serve as an integral part of the British Army whilst retaining its Nepalese identity and culture, and adhering to the terms and conditions of Gurkha service".
10
posted on
03/29/2008 4:27:47 PM PDT
by
Stoat
(Rice / Coulter 2012: Smart Ladies for a Strong America)
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