A plaque marking the contribution air cadets made to a new war memorial has been unveiled by the Provost of Falkirk. The cadets of 470 (Falkirk) Squadron Air Training Corps planted eight silver birch trees that now frame the entrance to Bainsford War Memorial in Dawson Park.
Kevin McLean, chair of Bainsford War Memorial Association, explained that the cadets planted the saplings in time for the opening of the war memorial last June. The tree planting was also part of the Queen 's Green Canopy, a national project that saw more than a million trees planted across the UK mark the late monarch's Platinum Jubiliee.
The cadets also took part in the opening ceremony on the day, raising the flag and laying a wreath. Provost Robert Bissett, who recently stepped down as chairman of Bainsford War Memorial Association, said he was delighted that the cadets' contribution had been marked.
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He was particularly pleased that the squadron he was once a member of himself had been such a part of the opening of the memorial.
Unveiling the plaque on Thursday evening, he said: "I think it's really been commendable that the ATC took part in the ceremony and also planted these trees as a legacy for the future.
"It's really good to see young people being involved in remembering our war dead. The trees are symbolic of new life and how mankind continues even through disasters such as war."
The association hopes that the war memorial will be an important part of the community and a focal point for the park. Unveiling the plaque were: Bainsford War Memorial Assocition chair Kevin McLean; Cadet Noah Glass; Officer in Comman, Flight Lieutenant Colin Gray; Flight Sergeant Isla Mayor; Provost Robert Bissett; Corporal Molly Blackmore; Cadet Leo Cierpikowski.
