We will remember them
MEMBERS of the Army, Navy and Air Force paid tribute to fallen service men and women at a ceremony at Belfast City Hall yesterday.
The solemn and emotional occasion, accompanied by an icy wind and autumn leaves blowing about the ground, was headed by Lord Mayor Jim Rodgers and Lady Romayne Carswell, the Lord Lieutenant of Belfast.
Leading the procession of representatives from units stationed in Northern Ireland, they paraded from inside the City Hall to the Garden of Remembrance at the side of the building.
The garden was lined with metal crosses bearing the names of different regiments and units.
Mr Rodgers and Lady Carswell began this year's annual laying of the crosses by individually placing their poppy-laden crosses in the ground.
They were followed by representatives from different units who each placed small, single poppy crosses in the ground allocated to their fallen comrades.
The sound of the lone trumpet alerted passers-by, many of whom gathered around the gates and lined the boundry to watch the ceremony.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Rodgers thanked those who had attended the "sombre and moving occasion".
He said: "We have got to remember why people are planting crosses with the poppy on them, and I think it is something we must preserve because so many people of all religions, colours, class and creed paid the supreme sacrifice to try and bring peace."
Following the ceremony, representatives from the Belfast branch of the Ulster Defence Regiment came to pay their respects to the 256 men and women killed since its formation in 1992.
They took it in turn to place a cross for each soldier.
On Sunday, the national day of Remembrance, they will be in London to perform the same duty to remember their comrades.
The Dean of Belfast Dr Houston McKelvey conducted the service, concluding with the words: "We will remember them".
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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
