CRISPIN BLUNT MP: THE NATION OWES THE TA “DEBT OF GRATITUDE”
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council honoured the local members of the Territorial Army on Saturday 10th May 2008 in Reigate town centre. In a day of celebrations the TA took part in a march past and were addressed in speeches by the Mayor of Reigate and Banstead, Cllr Dorothy Ross-Tomlin, and Reigate MP, Crispin Blunt.
The events in Reigate are part of a series of events nation-wide to celebrate the centenary of the TA’s formation in 1908. In his address to the troops Mr Blunt praised their commitment and noted that in recent years the TA’s contribution as a support to the regular army has grown in scale and importance.
Mr Blunt’s speech was as follows:
"Madam Mayor, My Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen and most importantly today members of the Territorial Army,
When the TA was founded a century ago it was assumed that its members would be “the reserve of last resort”. However the TA is now not only the nation’s military reserve of first choice but also so embedded into the operational structure of the regular army that you find yourselves fighting side by side and accepting the same risks and dangers for your country. Your contribution to the nation’s defence places the TA at the heart of military operations and the nation's defence.
The rapid change in what has been asked of you could not be clearer to a regular soldier of my generation. My service covered the 1980s and whilst active service was a possibility, actual war fighting was a remote prospect. But now for over fifteen years Britain has been engaged in operations across different theatres on a scale unimaginable in the years of the Cold War. In recent years you have been called upon to support operations in the Balkans, in Sierra Leone and in Iraq and Afghanistan. The recent contributions of many of you in Iraq have been way beyond what any of my generation of full-time soldiers would have expected to make.
As a voluntary service the time you give both on operations and here in the UK reflects the very best in the British spirit of service to nation and to community.
Today our Borough has given us the chance to acknowledge the 100 years of service of the Territorial Army and to thank you for your voluntary commitment to the security of us all. The British people owe all our serving men and women a debt of gratitude greater than you would ever claim. Today it is our privilege to acknowledge that debt. Thank you."
