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12/04/2010
Royal Irish Honoured In Bangor
Soldiers from NI who are again preparing for front-line action have been on the march in Bangor.
The last remaining Irish infantry regiment of the line, the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR), whose 1st battle group has seen action in Kosovo and Iraq, and just returned from its second tour of Afghanistan's Helmand province in October 2008, has been honoured.
Just months before the men are due to redeploy in the Autumn to Afghanistan, sunshine welcomed more than 200 RIR soldiers, cadets and old comrades from the as they marched through North Down on Saturday.
A crowd of around 5,000 well wishers of all ages, and local dignitaries including North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon, gathered to cheer and clap the troops as they exercised their right to march as freemen of the borough.
The parade travelled through Bangor town centre, led by regimental mascot Brian Boru VIII, along with musicians from the Territorial Army Royal Irish Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums.
Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant General Sir Philip Trousdell, said being given the freedom to march "demonstrates the vital support that the community gives to those volunteers who stand upon the ramparts of its freedom."
He added: "Soldiers are not some alien breed apart, they are people of the community who have stepped forward to do what democracy asks of them.
"That task is made so much easier when the support of the community is made so evident."
Inspecting the officers and soldiers on parade, Mayor of North Down Tony Hill said: "Council, and the people of the borough will remember this as an occasion when a small tribute was paid to an outstanding Regiment, that has been instrumental to making Northern Ireland a more peaceful and prosperous society.
"As you prepare for a six-month tour of Helmand province, we want to particularly thank you for your bravery and gallantry."
The RIR presented North Down Borough Council with a cast of mascot Brian Boru VIII, while the Regiment was gifted a Belfast crystal punch bowl and wine glasses by the council to mark the occasion.
(BMcC/GK)
The last remaining Irish infantry regiment of the line, the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR), whose 1st battle group has seen action in Kosovo and Iraq, and just returned from its second tour of Afghanistan's Helmand province in October 2008, has been honoured.
Just months before the men are due to redeploy in the Autumn to Afghanistan, sunshine welcomed more than 200 RIR soldiers, cadets and old comrades from the as they marched through North Down on Saturday.
A crowd of around 5,000 well wishers of all ages, and local dignitaries including North Down MP Lady Sylvia Hermon, gathered to cheer and clap the troops as they exercised their right to march as freemen of the borough.
The parade travelled through Bangor town centre, led by regimental mascot Brian Boru VIII, along with musicians from the Territorial Army Royal Irish Band, Bugles, Pipes and Drums.
Colonel of the Regiment, Lieutenant General Sir Philip Trousdell, said being given the freedom to march "demonstrates the vital support that the community gives to those volunteers who stand upon the ramparts of its freedom."
He added: "Soldiers are not some alien breed apart, they are people of the community who have stepped forward to do what democracy asks of them.
"That task is made so much easier when the support of the community is made so evident."
Inspecting the officers and soldiers on parade, Mayor of North Down Tony Hill said: "Council, and the people of the borough will remember this as an occasion when a small tribute was paid to an outstanding Regiment, that has been instrumental to making Northern Ireland a more peaceful and prosperous society.
"As you prepare for a six-month tour of Helmand province, we want to particularly thank you for your bravery and gallantry."
The RIR presented North Down Borough Council with a cast of mascot Brian Boru VIII, while the Regiment was gifted a Belfast crystal punch bowl and wine glasses by the council to mark the occasion.
(BMcC/GK)
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