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Hymns replace regimental marches
Friday, 31 October 2008
Some of the Army’s best-loved regimental marches could be missing from this Sunday’s homecoming parade through Belfast, it has emerged.
Instead of iconic tunes such as Killaloe, it is expected that regimental bands taking part in the controversial parade through Belfast city centre will play hymns and other music instead.
The Ministry of Defence declined to confirm whether such a move will be made, but said that the music played on the day would be “respectful” of the event and would reflect the involvement of all three branches of the Armed Services.
Former Ulster Defence Regiment officer and Castlereagh councillor Michael Copeland said he was angered and alarmed at the prospect.
“When you go to see a military parade you expect to see it done properly in accordance with tradition,” he said.
“If it was a church parade it would be one thing and it’s not a church parade. It is not the norm — regimental marches are played and are almost a central component.
“The vast number of people attending this parade and wishing to acknowledge the service personnel will be expecting to see a parade exactly the same as those taking place elsewhere. A feature of parades of this nature are regimental marches.
“Any decision to restrict the type of music played would be a departure from that which is considered normal.”
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How can there be a regimental march past without regimental music? I was raised as a an Army Kid,parents both from here, I was brought up to be completely non sectarian,non racist etc. Let us celebrate these young peoples' safe homecoming from a war not of their making. They are of both persuasions + North and South. Many of my fathers closest friends were from the South of Ireland and walked for miles, in the 1940's to join up in the Army and they served well. Please let us transcend the sectarianism that the proposed SF 'rally' is stirring up.The vast majority of people in the new Belfast and NI want to move on, to live with each other. I appreciate how difficult it must be to lose loved ones at the hands of whatever group - legal or illegal - but bitterness and hatred do no one any good. It is a poison. I too have lost but have learned to let go and move on. Please dont have us splashed all over the worlds media for the wrong reasons - how shameful and embarrassing.Killaloe plse!
Posted by services kid aged 60! | 01.11.08, 19:53 GMT
What is it with this pathetic government that we seem to have at the minute, and the GOC and his staff that are posted to Northern Ireland. We're British, this is British sovereign territory, but because a terrorist political party doesn't want the nations soldiers to march in there own land, the parade is now being picked apart to make it less of a military parade and more of a circus parade, what next the soldiers can't wear military uniform in there own nation?. Its time the people who want a peaceful and prosperous country, stood up to these scum and took back our once proud nation, and celebrate everything British that it is.
Posted by 1st/2nd Batt RIR, Helmands Heroes | 31.10.08, 17:51 GMT
Sean
As we say over here in Chicago
If you dont like it! LEAVE. No one is forcing you to stay.
Posted by John | 31.10.08, 12:30 GMT
PATHETIC.
Now they are considering banning Regimental marches so as not to upset protesters. Protesters who should not be allowed there in the first place.
These brave men and women from all sides of the community are going to end up coming home to a complete shambles.
THANK YOU PARADE COMMISSION. You should be ashamed.
Posted by John | 31.10.08, 12:27 GMT
Well Heather
Technically they are british citizens standing up for british rights
They are just british citizens who don't want to be british citizens exercising the right so long denied them
Thats the problem with freedom, you don't get to force the results
Posted by Sean | 31.10.08, 11:02 GMT
They should play Amarillo Peter Kay version - you know like they did in Iraq. They are such good fun these soldiers. Oh how I laughed. Shame can't say the shame about the thousands of innocent Iraqis killed in an illegal war for oil.
Posted by Lenny D8 | 31.10.08, 04:40 GMT
This is totally disgraceful that the parade this Sunday will not be playing traditional regimental marches.
After all this is a military parade.
What next? - British Forces will not be permitted to wear their uniform with pride?
I am so angry that republicans seem to be laying down the law here - it's about time the British Government stood up to these threats.
We are British citizens and demand British rights ! !
Heather ............ Belfast
Posted by heather1690@msn.com | 31.10.08, 02:55 GMT