ON Sunday November 11, Okehampton remembered . . . It remembered the people of the town who lost their lives in two world wars. It remembered the countless servicemen and women who gave their lives for their country. It remembered soldiers on active service today, in Iraq and Afganhistan, who risk their lives so we might live ours in a safer world. Okehampton remembered . . . At around 10.30am the parade formed up on Fore Street. Barked orders from the Royal British Legion rang through the chill street as the lines formed. Okehampton Excelsior Band were followed by the Okehampton branch of the legion. Okehampton?s mayor, Tony Leech, and members of the town council followed. Behind them came the army cadets, proudly carrying the union flag with a two-rifle escort, the air cadets, the fire service, Saint John Ambulance, the scouts, guides, cubs and brownies. The parade wound its way through the streets and up the hill to All Saints Parish Church. Outside, by the war memorial, the mayor read the names of those from Okehampton who had lost their lives in war. The Last Post sounded, followed by two minutes? silence. The congregation moved into the church. Hymns were sung, candles lit and readings were given as a town paid tribute and remembered. The singing of the national anthem ended the service and the parade made its way back into the town centre. Again the lines formed up on Fore Street, as police stopped the traffic. The mayor walked along the lines and greeted the different groups, thanking them for the part they had played. The band played the national anthem once more and then the call came to dismiss. Services were held across the town in the different churches as Okehampton paid a fitting tribute to those who had lost their lives fighting for the peace and freedom we enjoy today.
