LEST WE FORGET

Nov 14 2008 by Lynn Duke, Strathearn Herald

LEST WE FORGET

Photos by Lynn Duke and Gordon Hart

STRATHEARN remembered its war dead in moving services and wreath-laying ceremonies at the weekend.

Ninety years on from the end of the Great War, communities paid their respects to the men and women who have lost their lives giving service to their country and prayers were said for those involved in current conflicts.

The local pipe bands led many of the parades and lone pipers played poignant laments at the war memorials.

Afterwards Alastair McLean, chairman of the RBLS Crieff branch, said: “I would like to convey my sincere thanks to everyone who attended services of remembrance throughout Strathearn; to all the uniformed bodies who participated, and to councillors and dignitaries.

“Thanks must also go to the ministers: Rev. Graham McWilliams (Comrie); Rev. James MacDonald (Crieff); Rev. Michael Shewan (Auchterarder); Rev. Hamish Fleming (St Fillans), Rev. Bill Buchan (Muthill) and Rev. Dr Stuart Picken (Ardoch and Blackford).

“And a special thanks to Captain David Gill, who very kindly acted as parade marshall for the first time at Crieff.

“We were exceptionally pleased to see the large turnouts at all the services and the amount of youngsters paying their respects, particularly as the generation that survived the First and Second World Wars declines.

“It is good to know that the next generation are prepared to take on the roll of honouring the courageous men and women whose lives have been sacrificed in battle.”