Herald launches Heroes campaign
IT is now 90 years ago since The Great War ended in 1918 — a fact which will be commemorated this Armistice Day.
The Royal British Legion is honouring the memory of the war's heroes with a unique tribute — planting a 'Flanders Field of Poppies' at the Menin Gate in Flanders.
And the Kirkintilloch Herald Series is also marking the milestone by launching a local heroes campaign.
Remember our Heroes: Past and Present is intended to salute all those who have fought valiantly for their country in the past 90 years ... and those still on active duty.
Sadly, survivors of the Great War are now few and far between and, unfortunately, the War to End All Wars did not achieve that purpose.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Debt of Honour Register lists 1.7 million men and women of the Commonwealth Forces who died during the two World Wars.
Thousands of others have laid down their lives since, protecting Queen and country from the threat of invasion and terrorism.
Indeed, there has only been one year since the Second World War when a British service-person hasn't been killed on active duty – 1968.
Today, around 185,000 men and women are enlisted with the UK regular forces — Army (103,470), Navy (38,270) and Royal Air Force (43,170).
Thousands of British servicemen and women are currently fighting on the frontline.
The Remember our Heroes: Past and Present campaign aims to honour those still on active duty, as well as their former comrades.
Over the coming weeks we will feature local heroes currently serving, as well as veterans who remember only too well the sacrifices made in the line of duty.
In addition, we are backing the MOD-sanctioned Christmas parcel appeal run by the charity Support Our Soldiers ... to help bring a bit of Christmas cheer to our troops around the globe this festive season.
However, we need YOUR support to ensure our campaign is a success.
We are appealing to readers, organisations, schools and businesses in the Herald Series areas to donate goods to the parcel appeal.
Donations can be handed into the Herald Offices, 11 Dalrymple Court, Townhead, Kirkintilloch, G66 3AA.
The campaign – which is being backed by our sister titles in the Johnston (Falkirk) group – will run until November 12.
All of the goods donated to Remember our Heroes: Past and Present will be parcelled up by Support our Soldiers and sent to our troops in time for Christmas.
The key is to keep items small and light as they are packed into shoeboxes which are weight and size restricted. Please note that aerosols, alcohol and lighters are strictly prohibited.
Suggested donations
* Toothpaste, tooth-brushes, shampoo, shower gel, roll-on deodorant, razors, face-cloths, etc.
* Rennies, paracetamol, plasters, insect repellent, sun screen, etc.
* Pringles, crisps, nuts, pork scratchings, beef jerky, savoury rice, noodles, etc.
* Fruit/cereal bars, dried fruit, shortbread, small cakes, jam, etc.
* Sweets, toffee, fudge, chocolate raisins, Love Hearts, gum, etc.
* Tea bags, coffee sachets, small bottles of fizzy juice, etc.
* Socks, male/female underwear, T-shirts, thermal underwear, etc.
* Paperbacks, mags, puzzle books, playing cards, travel games, jigsaws, DVDs, dominoes, etc.
* Boot laces, safety matches, nail clippers, batteries, and, most of all, messages of support.
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Weather for Kirkintilloch
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 14 C to 24 C
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