Published: Tuesday, 28th October, 2008 4:15pm

WELCOME HOME TROOPS

by Roisin McGroarty

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THE streets of Ayr were packed as residents came out in force to welcome home our troops from the frontline.

Thousands of people lined the main streets of Ayr as local soldiers arrived back from six months active service in Afghanistan.

Grandmother and Support Our Soldiers fundraiser Pat Ethells was out selling the SOS ribbons and proudly watching her grandson Callum Brown during the Home Coming parade.

Speaking to the Advertiser Series, Pat, a Lochside resident, said: 'My grandson"s has just been marching past, I"m so proud of him. He"s from Ayr and everyone is really proud including his parents Elizabeth and Stephen Brown. We"ll definitely be having a lot of celebration, he"s been out there six months.

'Today the support has been great with a lot of people out.'

The parade kicked off from the County Buildings on Pavilion Road at 11.30am before marching along Wellington Square, Barns Street, Dalblair Road, Alloway Street and down the High Street. The march then proceeded to the Town Hall where a private medal presentation ceremony and lunch took place with some of the soldiers" families.

Proudly watching her husband Major Sandy Fitzpatrick, wife Sarah, 38, said: 'My husband has just returned two weeks ago having done his bit for six or seven months. My husband"s second in command. It"s lovely to have them all back safely and hopefully we can now get back to some normality.

'This will be a big week of celebration for us then a well deserved rest with a month off in November.

'But we have to of course remember those who were lost, Corporal Barry Dempsey died just two months ago and our hearts go out to his family.'

Local Councillors were also out in support with many watching the parade while Provost Winifred Sloan took an eye"s right salute from the soldiers at the Wallace Tower.

MSP John Scott added his support for the day while he watched the parade.

He said: 'It is absolutely fantastic to see these men and women safely home. It is a very emotional moment for me but far more importantly for their family who must be filled with pride at the site of these soldiers who so proudly and bravely save the interest of this country and protect us on the frontline from terrorism.

'I"m full of admiration for the bravery of our armed forces and it is great to see this parade happening in Ayr.'

The Advertiser Series wish a warm welcome home to all our soldiers.

• Check out www.ayradvertiser.com for video of this proud occasion.