Praise For Local Heroes

From: The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot, M.P.

HOUSE OF COMMONS,LONDON SW1A 0AA

Community Praise for Local Heroes

Yesterday in the House of Commons, James Arbuthnot, Member of Parliament for North East Hampshire, spoke about Saturday’s RAF Odiham Heroes Parade and highlighted the outstanding work of the local Chinooks crews that are returning from Afghanistan.

The home coming parade was the result of 9 months collaboration between the RAF, Odiham Parish Council and the Odiham Town Manager Group. Celebrations started with a Chinook flypast along Odiham High Street, followed by the procession which included a tank, armoured vehicles and marching band. There was a parade in The Bury and festivities continued later into the day with the Blues and Booze music event.

James said:

“The people of Odiham showed a huge degree of appreciation for the wonderful work of the local Chinook crews that are coming back from Afghanistan. They were lining the streets three deep to welcome home members of the armed forces, and I know that everyone involved with RAF Odiham appreciates this fantastic level of community support. But thank you also to Peter Fountain and Odiham for giving us all the opportunity to say thank you.

“I spoke to many people during the day and there was unanimous agreement with the remarks of the Chief of the General Staff, Sir Richard Dannatt, who says that we need to have a debate about the priority that we give to our armed forces. The work that those people are doing is second to none and we need events like this to remind us of the outstanding job that they do.”

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17 June 2008

The Rt. Hon. James Arbuthnot, M.P. Speaking at the Houses Of Parliament.