This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7607360.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Service for Troubles soldiers Service for Troubles soldiers
(about 2 hours later)
A service is taking place at St Paul's Cathedral to honour the thousands of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Gordon Brown and Baroness Thatcher have attended a service in London to honour the thousands of soldiers who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles.
More than 300,000 soldiers were involved in Operation Banner, the official title for military operations, between 1969 and 2007.More than 300,000 soldiers were involved in Operation Banner, the official title for military operations, between 1969 and 2007.
In that time 763 military personnel died and more than 6,000 were injured.In that time 763 military personnel died and more than 6,000 were injured.
The MoD said the service would pay tribute to all of those who were part of the longest chapter in its history. The Prince of Wales and Conservative leader David Cameron also attended the service at St Paul's Cathedral.
Those attending the service in London include senior political and military figures, hundreds of former soldiers and the widows and families of many of those who were killed. Hundreds of former soldiers and the widows and families of many of those who were killed also attended.
'Ignored' After the service, about 700 veterans marched from the cathedral to Guildhall for a reception, hosted by the Prince of Wales.
Baroness Thatcher was among the political figures at the service
Mary Moreland served in the Ulster Defence Regiment with her husband John, who was shot dead in 1988.Mary Moreland served in the Ulster Defence Regiment with her husband John, who was shot dead in 1988.
She said the armed forces should be thanked for their role in Northern Ireland.She said the armed forces should be thanked for their role in Northern Ireland.
"I think there's a lot of people, a silent majority of people out there who really respect and really appreciate what the services did, and appreciate that they couldn't live the way they're living today if that sacrifice hadn't been made."I think there's a lot of people, a silent majority of people out there who really respect and really appreciate what the services did, and appreciate that they couldn't live the way they're living today if that sacrifice hadn't been made.
"Every day is a remembrance for people that suffered, and I think what we have to do is not live in the past, but remember it. Don't let us rewrite history, let us remember it how it was, and let us move forward.""Every day is a remembrance for people that suffered, and I think what we have to do is not live in the past, but remember it. Don't let us rewrite history, let us remember it how it was, and let us move forward."
Steve Norman, who served on three tours of NI with the Royal Anglian Regiment, was shot and wounded in the Creggan estate in Londonderry in 1973.Steve Norman, who served on three tours of NI with the Royal Anglian Regiment, was shot and wounded in the Creggan estate in Londonderry in 1973.
"To a great extent, a lot of British soldiers do feel a bit let down or ignored or the sacrifice has not not been recognised, but today goes a long way to redress that," he said."To a great extent, a lot of British soldiers do feel a bit let down or ignored or the sacrifice has not not been recognised, but today goes a long way to redress that," he said.
In a statement the Prime Minister said: "They helped create the conditions for the peace Northern Ireland now enjoys and today we salute their courage.In a statement the Prime Minister said: "They helped create the conditions for the peace Northern Ireland now enjoys and today we salute their courage.
"It is in their honour and for all the people of Northern Ireland that all those committed to the province's future must work together to ensure a lasting peace.""It is in their honour and for all the people of Northern Ireland that all those committed to the province's future must work together to ensure a lasting peace."