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Villagers and veterans turn out for service
Veterans and residents of a village turned out in force to celebrate Armed Forces Day.
Events were held across the UK to mark the first ever such occasion.
Locally, veterans gathered in Rowlands Castle, where members of the Royal and Electrical Mechanical Engineers (REME) marched from the King's Stone at Havant Thicket to Rowlands Castle village green on Saturday morning.
Once they arrived, a short service was held before Major Jez Manning hoisted the Armed Forces Day flag on the village green.
More than 100 people had gathered.
Dave Thomsett, who lives in Rowlands Castle and spent 34 years in the Royal Navy, said: 'Armed Forces Day is a great idea.
'It is long overdue. The forces have become disconnected with the public they serve over the past 20 or 30 years, but it is important to have things like this – it means those connections are re-established.
'I hope it takes off and we can celebrate it every year.'
After the troops marched onto the village green, John Smith, chairman of East Hampshire District Council, addressed the crowd. He said: 'Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for us, the people of East Hampshire, to say thank you to the service men and women past and present.'
Tony Rixon, 63, who has lived in Rowlands Castle for the past 13 years, said: 'There is a big naval tradition in Rowlands Castle and I am all for things like this.
'It is a good idea, particularly now with our forces so heavily engaged across the world.'
After the ceremony members of the public had the chance to meet members of the forces past and present as refreshments were served.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
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