Will we remember them? Serviceman poses a tough question to local public

SIR - I would like to bring to your attention the parade that took place on Sunday 1st July to commemorate The Battle of the Somme. The few people who did attend will agree with me when I say the support was dreadful.

Let me start first off by congratulating the members of the public who could be bothered to attend and also the band (whose name I sadly did not catch) for giving up their time to participate.

I would also like to commend the ever sterling work carried out by the Services Club, The Royal British Legion and The Friends of the Somme Association who every year don medals and head dress to remember fallen comrades. Also thanks to the councillors who turned out. If it were not for the actions of these few I’m sure this memorable date would be forgotten.

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I was quite surprised that so few members of the general public turned out to show their support and respect. I myself was fortunate enough to be able to march proudly through the streets of Ballymena with the Royal Irish Regiment on our return from Afghanistan first in 2008 and then again last year. I cannot begin to explain the enormous pride I felt walking through the streets of Ballymena with thousands of people in attendance cheering us on. I imagine the streets of Ballymena were the same in 1914 when the men marched off to war. I dread to think that in nearly 100 years our soldiers who have fell in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan or indeed any other theatre of operation, will be forgotten.

I understand the final of the Euros was showing but I’m sure the people of Ballymena could have given an hour out of their busy Sunday evening schedule, after all these men have given their lives. I’m sure also that hardly a family in Ballymena can say that they did not have a family member who fought with around 3000 men from the town, Catholic and Protestant, who went off to fight with around 600 not returning home.

I’m sure those attending the parade were as shocked as i was at the amount of people in their cars who were at some parts driving alongside the parade in desperate attempts to get past. I was also sickened at the gentleman at Bridge Street who walked between the parade to cross the road. I’m sure if such an act was carried out at an Orange Order parade there would be an uproar.

So with the 12th of July celebrations just around the corner I would ask all who attended the parades remembering a battle that happened 322 years ago to ask themselves why they could not be bothered to attend a parade remembering that took place 96 years old. I will leave you with the words of John Maxwell, Edmonds inscribed on the Kohima Epitaph:

“When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today”

People of Ballymena, be thankful that they did

Yours, Anon.Serviceman

(Name and address supplied)