REMEMBRANCE Tributes across the generations
All ages play part in ceremonies
People from across Stirling paid tribute to the city’s war dead with services at the Church of the Holy Rude and at the Cenotaph.
Some observers thought numbers were down on the turnout last year when the nation also marked the 100th anniversary of the ending of World War One.
But the church was full for the service there and people utilised the many vantage points around the Cenotaph, in Corn Exchange Road, for the ceremony that followed a parade through the city of veterans, services personnel and representative of youth organisations.
And Sunday’s remembrance services were spared the torrential rain which affected proceedings 12 months ago.
Church of the Holy Rude minister, Rev Alan Miller, who was conducting his 10th service of remembrance in Stirling, said: “The turnout number was slightly down on last year but it was a good turnout nonetheless, and this year there was larger numbers from the Scouts, Air Training Corp and Army Cadets.
“That was very heartening because they are from a generation who have no experience of world war.
“And it is important we don’t forget (the contribution made by the fallen) because the greatest enemy of peace is complacency.”
Mr Miller said 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the start of remembrance ceremonies following World War One, the 80th anniversary of the start of World
War Two and 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall.
“Peace is built through cooperation and collaboration and the sharing of resources, both political and economic across the world,” he added.
“When people are prosperous and secure they find peace. When they are anxious and insecure they find less healthy ways of looking at the world.”
Members of Stirling Branch of the Royal British Legion organised the event and in the church, the readings were given by the Deputy Commander of 51st Brigade, Lt Col Garry Stimpson; Lord Lieutenant of Stirling and Falkirk, Alan Simpson and the Provost of Stirling, Christine Simpson. Joining them at the service were Commodore Jim Perks, Commander of Faslane Flotilla, HM Naval Base of the Clyde; Police Divisional Commander for Forth Valley, Chief Superintendent Thom McLoughlin, and Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Scotland David McGown.
Standards were presented to the minister by the Stirling branch of the British Legion, Royal Naval Association, Royal Engineers Association, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Association and the Air Training Corp.
Sgt David Beveridge, Royal Artillery and Edinburgh Castle gunner, was the piper in the church and trumpet contributions came from Fraser Harris, from Stirling Orchestra.
About 80 veterans from all three services attended the church service and around 30 joined the parade from the Top of the Town to the Cenotaph for the service there. The parade was headed by the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band and featured contingents from 7 Scots and 154 Medical Squadron, Royal Army Medical Corp; 1019 Squadron Air Training Corp, Army Cadets and Stirling and Trossachs Scouts. The parade commander was 2nd Lt Andrew Cross, 7 Scots, the parade sergeant Major was WTO Kenny Petrie and the band manager was Gerry Dewar.
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