Normandy veterans lay up colours
Members of The Highland and Islands Normandy Veterans NVA 60 Branch will lay up their colours and present their standard to The Highland Council on Sunday 23rd August, 2009.
In what they believe to be their last official branch ceremonial occasion around 43 veterans along with family, friends and invited guests will assemble at the Normandy Veterans Memorial, Station Square in Dingwall to lay wreaths and then parade past the cenotaph outside the National Hotel. The Lord Lieutenant will receive the salute as the Veterans march past the cenotaph and proceed to The Highland Council buildings led by the Royal British Legion Pipe Band.
Following a prayer of decommissioning by Rev Russel Smith the Veterans Standard Bearer will present the colours to Councillor Margaret Paterson. The colours will be displayed in the Council chamber in perpetuity.
Councillor Margaret Paterson who will be accepting the colours on behalf of The Highland Council said: “I am deeply privileged and honoured to accept the Normandy Veterans’ colours into the care of The Highland Council. Prominently displayed in the Council Buildings in Dingwall they will be a reminder to us and future generations of the Veterans’ service to our country.”
Veterans and guests will then attend a function at the Royal British Legion Hall where the Roll of Honour will be read by Councillor Margaret Paterson declaring all former members of the Veteran’s Branch.
Veteran Bill Loggie Legion of Honour, Chairman of the Normandy Veterans NVA 60 Branch said: “We are delighted with and most appreciative of the response from Highland Council to our giving them future custody of our standard. The enthusiasm shown by Councillor Margaret Paterson and the meticulous attention by June Forsyth in the Corporate Manager’s Office to ensure everything runs smoothly and according to plan on the day, is worthy of the highest praise and gratitude. The Normandy focus is invariably on 6th June 1944 – D Day but it was felt more appropriate to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the successful end of the Normandy Campaign on 20th August 1944. We would also take this opportunity to thank Northern Constabulary in Dingwall for their co-operation and assistance in this ceremony.”
The Highlands and Islands Normandy Veterans NVA 60 Branch started in Dingwall in 1987 and since then has had more than 200 members from Orkney and Shetland right down as far as Yoevil in Somerset. The Veterans memorial is at Station Square in Dingwall and was unveiled by the late Captain Sir Roderick Stirling, Lord Lieutenant in 2006.