Cheltenham honours Iraq war soldiers in parade 22 years on

Organizers of a parade intended to commemorate participants in the Second Iraq War stated that the conflict "must be remembered." It's important to acknowledge the sacrifices made and the lasting impact of the war on those involved.

The Iraq War began on March 19, 2003. While the overthrow of President Saddam Hussein took only a few weeks, Allied soldiers remained stationed in the country until May 2011. Retired Royal Air Force Wing Commander Roy Roberts organized the parade held in Cheltenham on Wednesday morning to commemorate soldiers deployed to the Iraq region under "Operation Telic." This commemoration serves as a tribute to their service and dedication.

Mr. Roberts stated that the purpose of the parade was for "remembrance and commemoration," which included the laying of poppy wreaths. The parade began at 11:00 am GMT and culminated in the laying of poppy wreaths at the Cheltenham War Memorial on the Promenade. Military veterans, as well as the Cheltenham vicar, Richard Coombs, also participated in the event, showing broad community support.

Mr. Roberts, who is the chairman of the Cheltenham branch of the Royal British Legion, stated that the conflict resulted in 179 British soldiers killed, with hundreds more "injured in body and mind." The long-term effects of the war on veterans' physical and mental well-being are a serious concern that deserves attention.

"At the moment, the focus is rightly on the 80th anniversaries of VE Day in May and VJ Day in August," he said. "But we want to remind and commemorate the current generation of serving and ex-serving men and women and the contribution they make. Conflicts have continued almost daily since the Second World War, and those of us alive today are suffering the consequences of recent conflicts." This serves as a reminder that the impact of war extends far beyond the battlefield and continues to affect individuals and communities for years to come.