VIDEO: Troops 'overwhelmed' by Ulster support
A SENIOR officer in the Royal Irish Regiment says the level of support for returning soldiers has "surpassed all expectations".
Lt Col Ed Freely, commanding officer of 1 Royal Irish, was speaking to the News Letter after tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Belfast to welcome home servicemen and women from the armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lt Col Freely, himself a Catholic, admitted the Belfast homecoming parade had been an emotional experience for troops, given the huge expression of public support, and was a sign itself of the changing times in Northern Ireland.
He also issued a personal thank you to the Ulster public for the "dignified manner" in which they saluted the courage of returning army personnel.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South
