PARADE AT THE MOUNT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXX, Issue 13669, 17 June 1942, Page 2

PARADE AT THE MOUNT

ALLIED NATIONS’ DAY CEREMONY All Units Participate An Impressive Gathering Pleasant sunshine prevailed at Mount Maunganui for the celebration of United Nations’ Flag Day last Saturday, and the large attendance of residents who witnessed proceedings were treated to a parade and ceremony which they will not readily forget and which were a credit to all those who took part. For the success of the day's programme must be attributed to the cooperation of men of the Air Force and particularly to the Officer Commanding and his staff of officers. Upward of 100 members of the Air Force formed up to lead the parade which moved off from Salisbury Avenue at 1.30 p.m. Men of the Home Guard followed the airmen while the returned soldiers, E.P.S.. W.W.S.A., fire brigade and boys’ brigade were well represented. Enthusiastic schoolchildren brought up the rear of the parade. The parade, in charge of officers of the Air Force marched along the Main Street to the lire station, where a ceremony was held at 2 p.m. The many colours of flags and hunting which were displayed profusely overhead added to the splendour of the various uniforms, to make an impressive sight. From a platform draped with flags the chairman of the Mount Maunganui Town Board (Mr S. E. Macdonald) opened the ceremony, and at his request, the National Anthem was sung. In his address the chairman thanked all those who had taken part in the parade and expressed appreciation of the manner in which the Air Force had co-operated. Referring to the display of flags he said, “Unfortunately there are flags of many of the nations which we have been unable to secure for to-day’s ceremony, but in the marchpast and the salute, even though their flags are missing, we will remember them.”

In concluding his address the chairman said, “We remember today the atrocities, suffering and misery born by our Allies who have fallen under the yoke of our enemies of the millions of brave lives that will be given in the world-wide conflict, of the families who have lost their loved ones, but we also remember that right and justice must triumph in the end, and we look forward to that great day when, God willing, our enemies will be conquered, and all nations will return to peace. And may it be a lasting peace for us and for the generations to come.”

Other speakers were Squadron Leader Kirkup, Lt.-Commander West and Lt. Hilford who addressed the gathering on behalf of the Allied air forces, the Allied navies, and the Allied armies, respectively. At the conclusion of the ceremony a march-past was staged by the parade and the salute taken. During this planes of the Air Force swooped several times over the saluting base in varying formations and attracted much admiration from onlookers.