SUN SHINES AS HUNDREDS GATHER AT THE CENOTAPH
Autumnal sun shines as hundreds gather at the cenotaph in remembrance
by David Killen
A STRONG autumn sun shone as hundreds of people gathered at the cenotaph in Omagh on Sunday to remember the dead of two world wars and many conflicts since.
Even on a Sunday the bustle of traffic is usually to be heard at the memorial, which is close to one of Omagh's busiest junctions, but the traffic fell silent just before 11am on Sunday to give people of all backgrounds a moment to remember, reflect, and recall.
Among them were those who had served over many years. While an impressive number of First World War veterans - all now past the age of 100 - remains in the UK. sadly there are none locally.
Those who served both in the 'front line' and support organisations during the Second World War were there, though, as were any who served in many conflicts since.
And the gathering tame at a time when thousands of soldiers from the UK and the USA gear up for what might be another conflict in the Middle East - a point made by Church leaders and ministers in many churches throughout the area.
In Omagh on Sunday, the ex-servicemen and women gathered at the Royal British Legion premises at Campsie and paraded with youth organisations through the town centre to an interdenominational service in Omagh College. The parade was led, as usual, by the award-winning Murley Silver Band.
Wreath-laying
Afterwards many made their way across the road to the cenotaph for the wreath-laying ceremony organised by the Royal British Legion. A squad of soldiers from the RIR at St Lucia marched up. Other soldiers formed a solemn honour guard at the four points of the cenotaph.
Colour parties from the legion and from uniformed youth organisations also formed up in front of the steps.
At 11am, the gathering fell silent to remember those who had fallen. The 'Ode to the Fallen' was recited by Mr Dave Givens, chairman f the Royal British Legion in Omagh. A bugler sounded Last Post.
After the wreath laying, the parade made its way back to the legion hall.
Earlier, wreaths were also laid at the nearby Boer War memorial, signifying that the sacrifices of many on the duty plains of South Africa 100 year ago have not been totally forgotten.
And, on their way to the cenotaph, many people called in at the Garden of Remembrance to pay their respects to those who died in the Omagh bombing.
Wreaths at the cenotaph were laid on behalf of the Royal British Legion; Royal Navy; Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Royal Air Forces Association; ATS; Northern Ireland Assembly; Omagh District Council, and the Ulster Unionist Party.
The 1st Battalion the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire laid a wreath for the first time on their tour of service.
Other military wreaths were laid on behalf of the Royal Irish Regiment; 4/5 Battalion Royal Irish Rangers TA; the Air Training Corps; and the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Royal British Legion Service Committee; RBL Women's Section; RBL Club and RBL Retired Club.
Ex-servicemen also laid wreaths on behalf of the Royal Corps of Signals; UDR Association; Ulster Special Constabulary Association and RUC George Cross Association. Serving officers laid a wreath on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade; Post Office; St. John Ambulance and the British Red Cross.
Local community organisations which laid wreaths included Omagh Rotary Club; Omagh Round Table; Omagh Junior Chamber; Omagh Probus Club; Omagh YMCA; The Women's Institute; Omagh Inner Wheel and Omagh Soroptomist Club.
Youth organisations to lay wreaths included Army Cadets from St Lucia and Omagh High School; the Boys' Brigade from Trinity and from Mountjoy; the Girls' Brigade; the Scouts; and the Guides Association. Wreaths on behalf of Omagh Academy and Omagh High School were laid by their respective head boys and head girls.
A new organisation to lay a wreath for the first time was West Tyrone Voice, the victims' support group.
by David Killen
A STRONG autumn sun shone as hundreds of people gathered at the cenotaph in Omagh on Sunday to remember the dead of two world wars and many conflicts since.
Even on a Sunday the bustle of traffic is usually to be heard at the memorial, which is close to one of Omagh's busiest junctions, but the traffic fell silent just before 11am on Sunday to give people of all backgrounds a moment to remember, reflect, and recall.
Among them were those who had served over many years. While an impressive number of First World War veterans - all now past the age of 100 - remains in the UK. sadly there are none locally.
Those who served both in the 'front line' and support organisations during the Second World War were there, though, as were any who served in many conflicts since.
And the gathering tame at a time when thousands of soldiers from the UK and the USA gear up for what might be another conflict in the Middle East - a point made by Church leaders and ministers in many churches throughout the area.
In Omagh on Sunday, the ex-servicemen and women gathered at the Royal British Legion premises at Campsie and paraded with youth organisations through the town centre to an interdenominational service in Omagh College. The parade was led, as usual, by the award-winning Murley Silver Band.
Wreath-laying
Afterwards many made their way across the road to the cenotaph for the wreath-laying ceremony organised by the Royal British Legion. A squad of soldiers from the RIR at St Lucia marched up. Other soldiers formed a solemn honour guard at the four points of the cenotaph.
Colour parties from the legion and from uniformed youth organisations also formed up in front of the steps.
At 11am, the gathering fell silent to remember those who had fallen. The 'Ode to the Fallen' was recited by Mr Dave Givens, chairman f the Royal British Legion in Omagh. A bugler sounded Last Post.
After the wreath laying, the parade made its way back to the legion hall.
Earlier, wreaths were also laid at the nearby Boer War memorial, signifying that the sacrifices of many on the duty plains of South Africa 100 year ago have not been totally forgotten.
And, on their way to the cenotaph, many people called in at the Garden of Remembrance to pay their respects to those who died in the Omagh bombing.
Wreaths at the cenotaph were laid on behalf of the Royal British Legion; Royal Navy; Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; Royal Air Forces Association; ATS; Northern Ireland Assembly; Omagh District Council, and the Ulster Unionist Party.
The 1st Battalion the Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire laid a wreath for the first time on their tour of service.
Other military wreaths were laid on behalf of the Royal Irish Regiment; 4/5 Battalion Royal Irish Rangers TA; the Air Training Corps; and the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Royal British Legion Service Committee; RBL Women's Section; RBL Club and RBL Retired Club.
Ex-servicemen also laid wreaths on behalf of the Royal Corps of Signals; UDR Association; Ulster Special Constabulary Association and RUC George Cross Association. Serving officers laid a wreath on behalf of the Police Service of Northern Ireland.
Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade; Post Office; St. John Ambulance and the British Red Cross.
Local community organisations which laid wreaths included Omagh Rotary Club; Omagh Round Table; Omagh Junior Chamber; Omagh Probus Club; Omagh YMCA; The Women's Institute; Omagh Inner Wheel and Omagh Soroptomist Club.
Youth organisations to lay wreaths included Army Cadets from St Lucia and Omagh High School; the Boys' Brigade from Trinity and from Mountjoy; the Girls' Brigade; the Scouts; and the Guides Association. Wreaths on behalf of Omagh Academy and Omagh High School were laid by their respective head boys and head girls.
A new organisation to lay a wreath for the first time was West Tyrone Voice, the victims' support group.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1131
Published Date: 14-Nov-02
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