I WAS so pleased to see Chepstow so full for the home coming of the Rifles on Thursday. It was good to see the whole town supporting the regiment and I hope that in the future the town can forge good links with the regiment and them with us, as it has been a shame in the past to have so many problems with regiments.
As a military child I have great passion and gratitude for those who go and fight for our country and much respect for the ones who don't come home. I think they are all doing a great job that not many people would want to take on.
The question of whether we needed to be there or not doesn't matter here, it just matters that they went, they did a good job and nearly all of them were lucky enough to come home. For this they should all be praised.
I was saddened whilst watching the parade, though, as there was one soldier who took it upon himself to get a better view for his photographs and so stood on the Cenotaph. He was then followed by some children and later by another soldier. We all came out to welcome his fellow troops home and to remember the few who didn't make it.
The Cenotaph is there to remember all fallen troops, no matter when they fell. I feel that it was wrong of him to do what he did especially due to the nature of the day. It doesn't matter what war they died in, they died for us to be free and safe and for our allies to have the same. No matter when they always deserve our respect and I feel his actions disrespected the Cenotaph and the people it commemorates.
Heres to the town having many more days as full and joyous as Thursday. It would be great to have a turn out like that for things like Remembrance Day too! – Ms Jarvis, Chepstow.