Crowds cheer Parachute Regiment in Bradford
7 Nov 11
Crowds gathered to cheer over 100 Territorial Army (TA) soldiers of 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment (4 PARA) who marched through the streets of Bradford this weekend to exercise their new Freedom of the City.
Territorial Army soldiers of 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment march through the streets of Bradford [Picture: Corporal Mike O'Neill, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011]
Led by the Parachute Regiment's mascot, Shetland Pony Private Pegasus, and the Band of The Parachute Regiment, the TA soldiers marched into Centenary Square.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Naveeda Ikram, addressed the troops, headed up by their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Boyd.
Councillor Ikram said that 4 PARA has provided more soldiers than any other TA infantry battalion for operations in the last decade; an average of 45 a year since the deployment to Iraq began in 2003, and the majority of the unit has at least one recent tour to their name:
"The life of a reservist is far from easy, juggling civilian work, military and family commitments," she added.
"But I know the civilian skills you bring from your civilian occupations play a valuable role in your military lives. It is when we stop and remember all this that we truly appreciate the debt of thanks we owe to you.
"In exercising your right to parade today, the people of this district recognise the enormous contribution you have made and the great pride we have in you as holders of the Freedom of the City."
Read more here. Thank you, and WELCOME HOME, 4 PARA!!!
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