Soldiers in Northern Ireland salute Captain Tom on 100th birthday
Soldiers in Northern Ireland have saluted Captain Tom Moore on his 100th birthday with a 14-foot mural.
As the remarkable war veteran reached 100 after raising millions for the NHS, he was immortalised at Aldergrove Flying Station in Co Antrim.
Captain Tom captured the hearts of the nation during the coronavirus crisis by walking 100 laps of his garden, raising almost £30 million for NHS charities.
Sergeant Major Mark Smyth said personnel in Northern Ireland wanted to pay tribute to him.
He explained he had been working with Belfast Mural Arts on another project when they donated this art work free of charge.
“Having watched the amazing achievement from Captain Tom over the past few weeks and the way in which he conducted himself, with great humour and enthusiasm, we wanted to pay tribute to him on his 100th birthday as a fantastic example of selfless service to the nation,” he said.
‘BIRTHDAY SALUTE TO CAPTAIN TOM’
‘BIRTHDAY SALUTE TO CAPTAIN TOM’ Armed Forces personnel in Northern Ireland have payed tribute to the remarkable achievements of Captain (Capt) Tom Moore by installing a 14-foot mural at Aldergrove Flying Station, to commemorate his 100th birthday. The inspirational war veteran, who has raised more than £29 million for NHS Charities Together by walking laps of his garden, set out to raise £1,000 and his fundraising captured the nation’s heart during the coronavirus lockdown.The mural was organised by Warrant Officer Class 2 (WO2) Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) Mark Smyth RLC based at Aldergrove Flying Station. WO2 Smyth said: “Having watched his amazing achievement from Captain Tom over the past few weeks and the way in which he conducted himself with great humour and enthusiasm, we wanted to pay tribute to him on his 100th birthday as a fantastic example of selfless service to the Nation.” WO2 Smyth was liaising with Belfast Mural Arts on another project and approached the Company to see if they could assist. They were only too happy to oblige and created and donated the mural to the Station free of charge. Lieutenant Colonel (Lt Col) Chris Wood, Mercian, Commanding Officer (CO) of the NI Garrison Support Unit and Head of Establishment at Aldergrove FS, who gave permission for the mural to be installed, said: “Happy Birthday Capt Tom, on behalf of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland. You are a gentleman, a true hero and the living embodiment of our Army Values and Standards. Many happy returns.”Music by the Band of the Irish Guards
Posted by Armed Forces in Northern Ireland on Thursday, April 30, 2020
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Wood, Commanding Officer (CO) of the NI Garrison Support Unit, described Captain Tom as a “true hero”.
“Happy Birthday Captain Tom, on behalf of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“You are a gentleman, a true hero and the living embodiment of our army values and standards. Many happy returns.”
