Town welcomes troops home
It was all they had hoped for, the least they deserved, writes Shirley Tart at the welcome home parade for the Royal Irish Regiment in Shrewsbury today.
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By Shirley Tart at today's service
It was all they had hoped for, the least they deserved.
Today the county said thank you and welcome home to the Royal Irish Regiment and God speed to all those serving in war zones around the world – especially Afghanistan. After leading the troops through a seven month tour of duty in the notorious Helmand Province, Lt Col Ed Freely movingly talked of the "dangers, successes and tragedies" his regiment had shared with the Afghan National Army.
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See also: Video: Crowds salute returning troops
"But together much has been achieved and we left Helmand Province with the National Army being shown respect and support and having grown in confidence," he said.
The commanding officer also paid tribute to Shropshire for the care and the welcome shown to the men and their families over the year they had been based at Tern Hill.
"We thank God for all of you and all you have done for us over the past year," he said.
He also reminded the packed congregation that 215 years ago the Irish Rifles Brigade, one of the regiment's predecessors, had been based in Shrewsbury so links ran very deep.
In saying thank you and well done, the Bishop of Lichfield the Rt Rev Jonathan Gledhill, said that soldiers more than anyone needed to have faith; faith in those giving orders and faith in being cared for if the worst should happen, adding: "But the biggest way soldiers need faith is in trust that the cause is a just one."
His point was well illustrated when ranger Peter Maher read from Revelations. His voice shook just a little at the words, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
And just for the moment the old order is behind the troops who, in combat gear, were today enjoying the autumn sunshine of England having left the danger and searing heat of Afghanistan behind them.
County Council chairman Brian Gillow, whose idea the whole occasion has been, paid a special tribute to all Shropshire servicemen and women in world war zones.
Outside the flag-waving and the cheers were just what the young heroes wanted to hear. The warm autumn sunshine just what they wanted to see.nextpage
The parade marches past Shrewsbury Abbey
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The service inside Shrewsbury Abbey
Pipers during the paradenextpage
The service inside Shrewsbury Abbey
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Troops march past Shrewsbury Abbeynextpage
Crowds watch as the parade files pastnextpage
Onlookers welcome the troops home to Shropshirenextpage
The parade files past Shrewsbury Abbey
