Shropshire war veterans reunited to honour their service
[gallery] War heroes past and present from across Shropshire and the West Midlands were reunited at a poignant event to mark Armed Forces Day.
War heroes past and present from across Shropshire and the West Midlands were reunited at a poignant event to mark Armed Forces Day.
Events across the country were held on Saturday to celebrate the contributions made by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty's Services. And the day was marked in Shropshire with a reunion celebration for veterans from all services held at RAF Cosford, near Shifnal.
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The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford joined in the annual event by hosting the veterans.
Veterans were treated to a full day's programme including guided tours around the museum's conservation centre, a musical performance by the Beaumaris Singers and the opportunity to dine with other guests amongst the aircraft and artefacts in the museum's Hangar 1.
There, among the Union Flags, they reminisced about days gone by.
Dozens of servicemen attended the event which also featured a spectacular flypast from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota.
Nina Mitchell, event organiser, said the day enabled veterans to meet up with old friends, reminisce over shared experiences and enjoy themselves within the setting of the Royal Air Force Museum.
She said the day was a truly memorable and sentimental gathering for veterans and their guests.
Servicemen, past and present from across Shropshire and the West Midlands attended the event.
Elsewhere across the British Isles more than 100 events took place, ranging from veterans' parades and bands to barbecues and fairs, in culmination of a week of tributes to British troops and their families.
Iraq War veteran Johnson Beharry, holding the highest military honour for valour, carried the Olympic Torch through the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.
And crowds lined the streets of Plymouth to cheer on the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force bands as more than 1,200 servicemen and women, veterans and cadets marched through the city.
The Royal Navy type-23 frigate HMS Argyll fired a 21-gun salute.
By Sue Austin
