A hope for peace (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

A hope for peace

Reg Cushion stands proud among other veterans at the service for thanksgiving (99826/97)WAR veterans from across the town gathered together this weekend for a service of thanksgiving and to commemorate 60 years since the end of the Second World War.

About 30 people attended the service, held at the Pilgrims Centre, on Sunday afternoon, which was led by the Rev Angela Overton-Benge.

Among those at the service were members of the Burma Star Association, the Wrens and Swindon Mayor Ray Fisher.

Wally Footner, 80, of Stratton, is a member of the Burma Star Association.

He said: "Services like this bring back many memories I'm afraid.

Some are good but unfortunately many are not.

"I think more young people in the town could do with learning about what our generation gave up.

"It was them that we did it for."

Phyllis Hobbs, 80, of Eldene, was a Wren at the Portsmouth command during the war. Her memories, of the times, while tainted with sadness, are mainly happy ones.

"I had a wonderful three years and made many friends who I still keep in contact with today," she said.

"I think services like this are important to pay your respects to those who went before you."

The congregation watched as former servicemen carried the standards of various veterans' organisations in the town, before joining in with well-known hymns such as Onward Christian Soldiers.

During the service, the Rev Overton Benge paid tribute to those who had lost their lives fighting for their country.

"Those that gave their lives in war, gave their all," she said.

"Those that were touched by it remembered it and were scarred by it for the rest of their lives."

"Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could've called this service a commemoration of 60 years of peace?

"But there is a war going on somewhere every day."

After the service, the congregation followed the standard bearers to the war memorial. They were joined by passers-by who stopped to watch as the mayor laid a wreath of poppies at the foot of the memorial.