A shortage of Jeeps is hindering plans to give Normandy veterans a heroes' welcome in a parade around Bury St Edmunds on Sunday 13 June.
The Bury St Edmunds and District Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association is being awarded the Freedom of the Borough by St Edmundsbury Borough Council at a special meeting in the AbbeyGardens. There will be a parade around town, accompanied by the Third United States Air Force who will be exercising their Freedom which was awarded in 2000.
In 1944 these former members of the armed forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, but 60 years on and life is taken at a more sedate pace - which is why the Borough Council decided it would be a great idea to help the veterans in the parade by providing Jeeps, Dodge carriers or similar vehicles. BUT almost every such vehicle seems to have migrated south to take part in the D-Day commemorative events in Normandy, so the plea is going out: if anyone has a Jeep to spare - the Normandy Veterans need YOU!
The Freedom Parade is one part of a week of freedom and democracy celebrations as Bury St Edmunds takes its turn to host the Magna Carta celebrations (they take place once every three years in one of five Charter Towns, so the event comes to Bury St Edmunds every 15 years). Magna Carta was the foundation for many of the democratic rights we enjoy today and 60 years ago the Normandy invasion paved the way for the liberation of mainland Europe, restoring democratic rights and freedom.
The link between the two events made this an ideal opportunity, St Edmundsbury's councillors decided, to honour the Normandy Veterans, and remember the sacrifices made by their comrades in 1944, by awarding them the Freedom of the Borough. The award will be followed by a civic procession to St Edmundsbury Cathedral where a Magna Carta Celebration Service will take place, with guests including the Master of the Rolls, Vice Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk and representatives from the other Magna Carta Charter Towns - St Albans, Runnymede, City of London and Canterbury.
The Third United States Air Force was awarded the Freedom of the Borough in August 2000 and will be exercising their right for the first time to march through the town's streets with flags waving, bayonets fixed and drums beating (in this case a whole band will be playing!) in support of the honour awarded to the veterans. The United States Air Force in Europe (USAFE) Band has also flown over specially to accompany the parade, along with the skilful Honor Guard Drill Team who will be staging a spectacular display on Angel Hill. Members of the RAF Regiment from RAF Honington, which also has the Freedom of the Borough, will be taking part in the events as well by lining the route. Two flypasts will also take place, by a KC 135 transport aircraft and by four F15 Strike Eagles.
If anyone can help please contact the parade organiser, Howard Cook, on 01284 757065.
ENDS
Timetable for Sunday13 June:
2pm - St Edmundsbury Borough Council meeting to award
the Freedom of the Borough to the Bury St Edmunds and District
Normandy Veterans Association.
2.40pm - Review of the parade in the Abbey Gardens. Flypast by
USAF transport aircraft.
3pm - Parade marches out of Abbey Gardens (Normandy
Veterans in Jeeps) to Angel Hill with USAFE Band. Flypast over
parade by F15E Strike Eagle. Civic parade to St Edmundsbury
Cathedral.
3.30pm - Magna Carta Celebration Service in Cathedral.
5pm - Freedom Parade - Normandy Veterans, Third United States
Air Force, USAFE Band - through Churchgate Street, Guildhall
Street, Abbeygate Street.
5.15pm - USAFE Band plays on Angel Hill, followed by display
by USAF Honor Guard Drill Team.
Note: There are many other events from 12-20 June, including the Carnival on 12 June and Nowton Park Country Fair, with a medieval theme on 20 June. Lectures on Magna Carta and medieval times, guided tours of the town and Cathedral, floral displays, opening of Norman Tower and other events throughout the week.
ISSUED BY MARIANNE HULLAND, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757034. marianne.hulland@stedsbc.gov.uk
