Join Poachers on parade
Hundreds of people are expected to line the city's High Street for a homecoming parade in honour of Lincolnshire's soldiers.
For the past three weeks the Echo has been campaigning to get support for the men and women from the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment who have returned from their second tour in Iraq.
So far, scores of people have pledged their support for the troops – know as the Poachers – including groups of schoolchildren, former servicemen, family members and armed forces cadets.
Paul Banks from the combined cadet force at Lincoln Priory LSST said it was an honour to be taking the future of the armed forces to the parade tomorrow.
"I know that the children would want to be a part of this as many of them will progress to the armed forces themselves," he said.
William Farr School in Welton is also taking a bus-load of children to stand on the sidelines at the parade.
Several hundred veterans from the Royal British Legion are expected to be there as well as city dignitaries and county councillors.
The parade will take place at 12.15pm tomorrow from the City Square in Lincoln up the High Street.
The Echo is also offering free black and yellow Poacher wristbands to help drum up support for the 250 men and women.
They are available from the Echo reception.
All the regiment is asking in return is that anyone who takes a wristband shows up for the march.
Lincoln MP Gillian Merron has confirmed she is trying to get out of Parliamentary duties to attend the event.
For more on the Poachers' homecoming parade, see Wednesday's Echo.
8 Comments
by Richard, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 10:46PM
“I fully support our armed forces & their families, my thoughts in particular are with those currently serving in both Iraq & Afghanistan, & I shall be there at the forthcoming parade. It's a tragic truth that those who are against the war can not see the hypocrisy & contradiction of their own so called principled stand, in that their own so called ¿anti war¿ stance lends support to those who do seek ¿ill¿ upon those who do serve with great courage & integrity this country. Whether one supports the war or not it is not impossible to distinguish between a duty obligated to by the soldier & between the politics/rhetoric of the politicians who so order them to do, but of course only if one so chooses. It also tells us more about those who choose not distinguish & their so called ideologically motivated principles.”
by Sandie, near Lincoln
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 10:34PM
“Well I WILL be there - not only to honour the present troops, but also those past, including members of my own family. If it weren't for the Poachers and other regiments and services, none of we Brits would have the freedom we enjoy today. I shall be there to honour the lads, their dead, who died to give us and others freedom too, and their families too. God Bless you, Lads, and Thank You.”
by ted edwards, lincoln
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 9:17PM
“will be there to support my old regiment the poachers ! good work lads ,shame about small minded people and the pathetic protesters ,im all for freedom of speech ,there is a time and place for this ,if you dont like the parade stay away !
come on lads !give it some”
by lady imp, lincoln
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 4:41PM
“I woulde love to be there tomorrow to support our troops but am working... i have the utmost respect for all the men & women who are involved in conflicts overseas.. Wether you agree or disagree with the war you should support them, they are doing there jobs in the most difficult & hostile situations, the least we can do is turn out & welcome them home, while remembering those who didnt... God Bless them all xx”
by anonymous, lincoln
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 4:21PM
“well i think that all that can shud be there to show there support for the troops and the things they have done for us whilst being away from there friends and family for long periods at a time! i will definetly be there to show my support”
by John, Dunholme
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 2:18PM
“Why would all opf the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment want to be named Bill?”
by M C Donald, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 2:04PM
“I¿m with you Bill. While I don¿t wish the troops ill, but any support I might show the troops will be and is perceived as support for the war. This was demonstrated in a comment made by a representative of the MOD after the Luton trouble ¿while those who didn¿t support the war do support the troops and the work they are doing in their name.¿
Sorry, I don¿t support the work the troops, are doing they shouldn¿t be there in the first place.”
by bill, lincoln
Wednesday, March 11 2009, 1:07PM
“I doubt if I'll be there, but if I was I'd be wearing a black t-shirt with red lettering -
NOT IN MY NAME”