HI EVERYONE, ON THE WEEKEND OF 28/29 th JULY 2007 THE 101st AIRBORNE RETURNED TO UPOTTERY AIRFIELD, NORTH DEVON, ENGLAND.
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT THE 101st HAD RETURNED THERE SINCE THEY LEFT IN JUNE 1944. THE AIRFIELD WAS LAID JUST FOR D DAY, WITH THE TROOPERS CAMPED IN FIELDS SURROUNDING IT, THIS WAS NICKNAMED ' TENT CITY'. HAVING THE WAR TIME C-47 WAS A REAL BONUS FOR US, THE AIRCRAFT FLIES REGULARY ONCE A WEEK, ON VARIOUS EVENTS.
DUSK ON THE AIRFIELD... 'OLD GLORY' HANGS AT HALF MAST ABOVE THE THREE WREATHS THAT THE GROUP WILL LAY IN THE VILLAGE
DURING THE CHURCH PARADE ON SUNDAY MORNING AT 11 am.
THE WREATHS LEFT TO RIGHT.. OFFICERS AND MEN OF ABLE COMPANY, 1st BATTALION, 506th P.I.R. 101st AIRBORNE, UNITED STATES ARMY.
OFFICERS AND MEN, OF THE 101st AIRBORNE DIVISION, UNITED STATES ARMY.
OFFICERS AND MEN OF EASY COMPANY, 2nd BATTALION, 506th P.I.R. 101st AIRBORNE, UNITED STATES ARMY.
" FOR OUR TOMORROW, THEY GAVE THEIR TODAY..."
THE C.O. CAPTAIN DAVID E. ALLAWAY AND S/L CPL. SIMON 'GRANNY' KNOTT COLLECT THE WREATHS.
THIS IS THE ONLY REMAINING SENTRY BOX WHICH WERE SITED AROUND THE AIRFIELD BOUNDRY.
THE VILLAGERS STOPPED IT BEING DEMOLISHED, AND TURNED IT INTO A SHRINE FOR THE AIRBORNE.
GOD BLESS THEM.
THIS PLAQUE ON THE WALL OF THE SENTRY BOX GIVES THE NAME OF ALL THOSE BOYS WHO NEVER RETURNED HOME FROM NORMANDY.
THE C.O. CAPTAIN ALLAWAY REPLACES HIS GARRISON CAP AFTER LAYING THE WREATH ON BEHALF OF THE 101st AIRBORNE.
STAFF SGT. SHAUN KELSO BARTLETT LAYS THE WREATH ON BEHALF OF EASY COMPANY, 2nd BATTALION, 506th P.I.R 101st AIRBORNE.
CPL. SIMON GRANNY KNOTT LAYS THE WREATH FOR ABLE COMPANY, 1st BATTALION, 506th P.I.R. 101st AIRBORNE.
THIS WAS LAID IN THE HIGHEST RESPECT THE GROUP HOLDS FOR MR DONALD R. BURGETT, AND FOR THE HELP HE HAS GIVEN US.
( GRANNY LAID THIS WREATH ON BEHALF OF SGT.MOOSE WHO WAS IN COMMAND OF THE CHURCH PARADE. THANKS GRANNY.)
THE GROUP PRESENTS A GENERAL SALUTE FOR THE FALLEN.
THE GROUP REMOVE GARRISON CAPS FOR TWO MINUTES SILENCE.