On the 8th of may myself, Cpl Meacham, Sgt Bagshaw, Sgt Gardner and Cdt Tolson and cadets from 106 (Orsett Hundred) squadron took part in the commemoration for the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. Before the event Cpl Meacham and I went to 106 squadron for two Wednesdays to train for the colour party, which raised and lowered the Union Flag. After this training, we were set for the parade. We turned up for the parade at 9.00am (very early for us) and we got ready (Cpl Meacham and I went down to the cenotaph earlier to raise the Union Flag and then joined the parade). Sgt Gardner was the squad leader for the air cadets, and so we followed the veteran squad down to the cenotaph. When we arrived at the cenotaph, the colour party broke off from the main parade and stood next to the flagpole.

    The parade was like the remembrance day parade, with wreath laying, hymns and the other usual things in a memorial parade, except there was a bonus for the veterans; all the people who served in the military services from 1914 to 1945 were given on behalf of the M.O.D. (ministry of defence) a special medal for their service during the two wars. After the parade was over, the cadets and veterans went to the "mess" - the Royal British Legion club - where the was a buffet and drinks. At the time my dad bought a round of drinks for myself, Cpl Meacham, Cdt Tolson and a few other cadets from 106 squadron. After about 5 minutes, I told some other cadets that they missed out on a free drink! They then told me that cadets got free drinks anyway! The funnier thing was that the person serving my dad at the bar saw him asking cadets what drink they wanted and still didn't say that we got free drinks. He then charged him for the drinks the cadets had!

    All in all it was a good day and there wasn't any trouble with weather or the parade.