We've made some changes
to The Sunday Times
Crowds lined the streets of Maidstone yesterday as soldiers from the 36 Engineer Regiment took part in a parade to celebrate their return from Afghanistan. Despite the heavy rain, about 2,000 people turned out to applaud the 330 servicemen and women as they marched through the county town of Kent. The regiment had returned to its Invicta Barracks the previous week after a six-month tour of duty through Helmand province in Afghanistan.
The homecoming celebrations began with a presentation of medals by Major-General Keith Cima, the governor of the Tower of London.
Tributes were also paid to the two members of the regiment who lost their lives during the tour. Corporal Ivano Violino, 29, was killed when his vehicle was caught in an explosion, and Lance Corporal Jake Alderton, 22, died when his vehicle left the road and rolled off a bridge.
Hugh Robertson, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent and a former soldier who saw active service in Northern Ireland, the Gulf and Iraq, spoke of his concern about proposals by the National Union of Teachers to bar the Army from recruiting in schools. “It is vital that soldiers are allowed to tell young people about the important job they carry out on our behalf,” he said.
Enjoy screenings of all the classic films you love, plus take advantage of two-for-one tickets
We explore leisure activities that are safe and suitable for all of the family
Times Online's new TV show helps you make the right decisions for your pet
See the best entries in this year's competition
Your brain is capable of more than you might think...
An interactive preview of the brand new For Your Eyes Only exhibition
The latest travel news plus the best hotels and gadgets for business travellers
Love Sudoku? Play our brand new interactive game: with added functionality and daily prizes

Are you irritable when you return from work? Drained of emotion? You could be suffering from boreout
Prepare for some shock and awe, petrol lovers. Despite the greens trying to wipe it out, the car is about to offer us the most exciting year ever
We've trawled the brochures and websites to find this summer’s best holidays for every taste and budget

Overseas contacts and local business information

A treasure trove of baubles, booty and stylish quests

Compare energy prices from suppliers

2002/02
£59,995
The Midlands
2008/08
£169,950
Scotland
2007/57
£35,000
South East England
Great car insurance deals online
Circa £82,000 per annum
Birmingham Women's Hospital
Birmingham
To £28k
Barclaycard
Various (outside London)
£
Up to £66,000 per annum
Hertfordshire County Council
South East
To £38k
Barclaycard
Northampton/Liverpool
2 Bathrooms, Balcony and Garden
Beautiful Gardens w/ stunning Thames Views
Apts From £249,950
Mortgages, bank acc & money transfers to help you buy abroad
Explore mystical Jordan
From £1030 for 7nts 4*
to USA's Most Cosmopolitan City; San Francisco!
£POA
Book Now for Winter 08/09 and Get 10% off!
Great travel insurance deals online
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times. Search globrix.com to buy or rent UK property.
© Copyright 2008 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
Well done to the people of Maidstone..and to the people of Hull who recently received their soldiers.
kirk, Rotherham, UK
It was heart warming to see the people of Maidstone turn out to applaud the 36 Engineer Regiment for what they acheived in Helmand province. Its all too easy to sneer from the safety of an armchair and to have a view on whether or not we should be in Afghanistan or Iraq. Those soldiers and their families know only too well the positive impact they have made on the ordinary men of women in Afghanistan, who just want to be safe and able to lead a normal life. The people of Maidstone who lined the streets on Friday emphathised with their global family in Afghanistan and were rightly proud and moved by the contribution our troops had made.
As for Armed Forces personnel being allowed into schools. It is entirely right that young people are introduced to a whole range of adults to help them form their own opinions and judgements. After all on Remembrance Day we have always been happy to accept the views of Chelsea Pensioners, famous war poets, second world war veterans.
Julie Bramley, Maidstone, Kent