Cheer on your soldiers in parade

MORETHAN 600 veterans and soldiers are expected to gather in Glenrothes on Saturday for a parade through the town.

The march is to mark Airborne Forces Day, which the kingdom branch of the Parachute Regimental Association has been given the honour of hosting for Scotland.

It is the first time that the parade has been held in Fife.

Some 300 ex-Paratroopers and Airborne Forces veterans and serving soldiers will march, flanked by military vehicles from the Second World War and the present day.

Others will join the many spectators expected to come out to show their support.

Fife branch secretary Bill Donaldson said: “This is a celebration, not a remembrance day.

“The Parachute Regiment were men of great courage and integrity and that’s what our association is built on.

“The soldiers fighting in Afghanistan today use the same pride and courage as was used in the Second World War.

“It’s important that we remember why we do this.

“We hope that the public will come out and cheer and wave flags.”

The parade will start at 12.30pm at St Columba’s Church, pass Fife House and continue along North Street, with Major General Peter Chiswell and Lord Lieutenant Margaret Dean taking the salute.