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Duchess makes Veterans' Day visit Duchess makes Veterans' Day visit
(about 9 hours later)
The Duchess of Cornwall was greeted by hundreds of cheering onlookers as she arrived in Blackpool to mark National Veterans' Day. The Duchess of Cornwall has attended a service at Blackpool's cenotaph to celebrate the contribution of the UK's armed forces on National Veterans' Day.
She began her first official visit to the resort by watching Falklands War veteran Anthony Barlow, 62, abseiling 518ft (158m) down Blackpool tower.She began her first official visit to the resort by watching Falklands War veteran Anthony Barlow, 62, abseiling 518ft (158m) down Blackpool tower.
The firefighter was presented with a Veterans' Badge and described the royal visitor as a "lovely woman". She later met Henry Allingham, 112, - the oldest surviving veteran of World War I.
It was followed by a march past by 12 Regiment, Royal Artillery. A two-minute silence followed the service led by the Bishop of Blackburn.
The regiment exercised its right to the Freedom of the Borough of Blackpool with a march along the promenade, past the tower to the cenotaph. The Duchess of Cornwall presented a number of veterans' badges, including one to former BBC war correspondent Martin Bell, who spent two years of his youth on national service.
Cenotaph service 'Marvellous initiative'
Speaking afterwards, Mr Barlow said: "It was good to see all the people here to recognise the veterans. Camilla was a lovely woman. Earlier, in a special stunt, another veteran dived to the bottom of a shark tank at Blackpool Sea Life Centre to retrieve his badge.
"She asked me if I suffered from vertigo, and said I looked far too young to be a veteran." John Phillips, who lost his arm while trying to disable an unexploded bomb on board HMS Antelope in the Falklands, said: "Veterans' Day is a marvellous initiative because it brings all those who have served together.
The duchess, wearing a sand-coloured silk shift dress and a feathered hat, then boarded a classic Blackpool tram to the Cenotaph to attend a special service. "I think people are more and more appreciative because of Afghanistan and Iraq in the news every day.
The service was being led by the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Nicholas Reade. Blackpool has been holding its own annual Veterans' Week since 2005 and beat four other UK cities to be named the host of national 2008 event. "They're more aware of what people have done."
Simon Brown, who was shot in the face in Basra, was pleased the Duchess of Cornwall remembered him from a previous meeting.
Mr Brown, 29, from Leeds, said: "She remembered my story and asked if things were looking up. She's got a good memory."
"Veterans' Day helps raise our profile.
"People are starting to get behind us because of reports in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Raises awareness
"They appreciate how hard the work is. People didn't understand what was going on before."
The service was being led by the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Nicholas Reade.
Blackpool has been holding its own annual Veterans' Week since 2005 and beat four other UK cities to be named the host of national 2008 event.
It celebrates the contribution made by all those who have served in the Armed Forces and raises awareness of veterans' issues.It celebrates the contribution made by all those who have served in the Armed Forces and raises awareness of veterans' issues.
Veterans Minister Derek Twigg and the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, also attended.Veterans Minister Derek Twigg and the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Richard Dannatt, also attended.
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The Duchess of Cornwall at National Veterans' Day