The Front Page. - Copy 106(Raising the Flag for our Armed Forces)
21 June 2010
Sandwich monday morning: To mark the lead up to Armed Forces Day on the 26th of June, flags were raised throughout the country today at 10.30 am. This year for our district it was held in the lovely town of Sandwich, whereas Dover held the ceremony last year.The day is an annual opportunity for the nation to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, a community truly suffering the rigours and difficulties of these dangerous times..
In the picture above are Cllr Ben Bano Mayor of Deal, Rev Canon Mark Roberts who read the prayers, Cllr Bernard Butcher Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr TC Amos Mayor of Sandwich, and Cllr Sue Jones Mayor of Dover.
Just a couple of close up pictures of the main Dover contingent at the ceremony. On the left we have the Mayor of Dover herself Cllr Sue Jones, next to her is Mayoress Cllr Ronnie Philpott, both enjoying the blazing and yes even warm sunshine outside the Guildhall in Sandwich. The next pic shows two well known forumites of near legendary status, former Mayor of Dover Cllr Jan Tranter and Deputy Chairman of Dover District Council Cllr Sue Nicholas, Sue sporting one of her magnificent hats. Below is a wider shot of the group with added pigeon, yes the wildlife was determined to be photographed with the assembled throng...and who are we to disappoint!
Prime Minister Cameron acknowledged this devastating milestone yesterday and said that it was "a time for the whole country to reflect". But the general call for withdrawal from all walks of the community is getting ever louder. "Why are we there?" said one old soldier yesterday.
PB
Sandwich monday morning: To mark the lead up to Armed Forces Day on the 26th of June, flags were raised throughout the country today at 10.30 am. This year for our district it was held in the lovely town of Sandwich, whereas Dover held the ceremony last year.The day is an annual opportunity for the nation to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, a community truly suffering the rigours and difficulties of these dangerous times..
In the picture above are Cllr Ben Bano Mayor of Deal, Rev Canon Mark Roberts who read the prayers, Cllr Bernard Butcher Chairman of Dover District Council, Cllr TC Amos Mayor of Sandwich, and Cllr Sue Jones Mayor of Dover.
Just a couple of close up pictures of the main Dover contingent at the ceremony. On the left we have the Mayor of Dover herself Cllr Sue Jones, next to her is Mayoress Cllr Ronnie Philpott, both enjoying the blazing and yes even warm sunshine outside the Guildhall in Sandwich. The next pic shows two well known forumites of near legendary status, former Mayor of Dover Cllr Jan Tranter and Deputy Chairman of Dover District Council Cllr Sue Nicholas, Sue sporting one of her magnificent hats. Below is a wider shot of the group with added pigeon, yes the wildlife was determined to be photographed with the assembled throng...and who are we to disappoint!
EXTRA
Since we did this celebration feature yesterday the news came through that the total loss of service personnel killed in action in Afghanistan has reached the grim total of 300. The rate of death among our forces is accelerating there, and experts now say that there is no real hope of any lasting military success in that unfortunate country, with its endless war torn history. Families who have lost sons and daughters there are split...some feel the early deaths should not be wasted, that we should stick it out now until a solution is found. Other families who have also suffered losses in Afghanistan, feel that we should pull out as soon as possible, in order to stop this acceleration in death and loss.Prime Minister Cameron acknowledged this devastating milestone yesterday and said that it was "a time for the whole country to reflect". But the general call for withdrawal from all walks of the community is getting ever louder. "Why are we there?" said one old soldier yesterday.
PB