Give our troops a cheer (From Daily Echo)

7 Port and Maritime Regiment will march through Southampton

8:10am Wednesday 14th October 2009 in The Tigers

The cap badge of 17 Port and Maritime Regiment

THE HEROES from 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, who have just returned from Afghanistan, will be showered in red, white and blue ticker tape as they parade through the Bargate next Thursday.

Around 350 soldiers will be on parade in their finery in Mayflower Park as a handful of ships, with more troops on board, moves along Southampton Water at 12.45pm on October 22. The regiment will then start their homecoming parade at 1pm and will be accompanied by the band of the Royal Logistics Corps.

They will march along a route from the waterfront, up the High Street, through the Bargate and up to the front of the Civic Centre. Outside they will then form up to be inspected by the Right Worshipful Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Elizabeth Mizon, and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.

To add to the sense of civic pride on show, hundreds of flag-waving schoolchildren will be in the city centre to help cheer on the returning soldiers, who are based in Marchwood.

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Watch the Tigers homecoming back in July