Loud and Proud

Whatever your point of view is when it comes to our various different countries' military activity all over the planet, I defy anyone watching these guys on parade not to have at least a single hair on the back of their neck stand to attention when the drums roll and the bagpipes strike on their march past. It certainly spooked the current residents of the empty Co-op building as they all flew off in perfect pigeon formation into the sky over everyone's heads.

Today was the homecoming parade of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders through Alloa Town Centre, not long back from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, followed by a flag raising ceremony at the Town Hall. The clouds knew better than to mess with men carrying big guns and the rain held off just long enough for them to complete their march and parade inspection. The local crowds gathered along the route to applaud and cheer them on, despite many of them not knowing what everyone was gathering for - a chap that had stood alongside me for a at least five minutes eventually asked "What's going on neebur?". Even the policeman I asked what route the parade was taking waffled for a bit and eventually admitted to only knowing it was going to come past him in around fifteen minutes. Ask a policeman they say...

Well done today all you sodjurs, and thanks!

Cheers to a fellow blipper for giving me a heads-up on this event today - good call Andy!

Big and proud.