May I, through your well-read pages, thank everyone who turned out for our centenary/D Day weekend where we also celebrated the unveiling of the memorial to the Devonshire Regiment.

May I, through your well-read pages, thank everyone who turned out for our centenary/D Day weekend where we also celebrated the unveiling of the memorial to the Devonshire Regiment.

I must congratulate the Journal on an excellent report in pictures of both the visit of HM Lord Lieutenant and the D Day Service of Remembrance. I am the first to bellyache when things are not quite right, so I have to praise you on this special occasion.

To all the ex 'Devons' and their supporters, a huge thank you for such a wonderful turnout. You can all feel very proud of yourselves for supporting what was, after all, your special day on Friday and for returning again on Sunday for the dedication and memorial service.

The Salamanca Band, not just for the ceremonial of the service, but for the splendid display after the event, to the Reverend Tony Oswin, who always does us proud on these very special occasions, to the Right Honourable Giles Chichester, who took time out on a very busy day to read the message from HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Mr Chichester is also a relative of one of the trustees of Phear Park.

To the US Navy Colour Guard, who attended with their commanding officer for the last time as the US Navy is leaving Britain after 66 years of guarding our shores. To all the veterans from WWII to the more recent conflicts. You always stand proud and it is humbling to have you turn out each year in Phear Park.

The Sea Cadets again gave full support over all three days and looked resplendent in full dress uniform, to the community college students who also support the events and the community in general, thanks to their principal, Tony Alexander, and PC Martin Young and PCSO Penny who kept an eye out all over the weekend, as did St John Ambulance.

To the Pepper family for their rides and stalls, to the Royal Marines association for the BBQ and to the Hawkridge Birds of Prey, whose beautiful birds are a huge draw for young and old alike.

The dog show this year was the best ever and is all down to the Corner House Surgery who organised the whole event for us and, once again, proved just how successful they are. Well done to veterinary nurse Vicky, who gave birth to her beautiful baby just in time to turn out for the show that she organised so well for us these past few years.

It is impossible to thank everyone without forgetting someone, so I would just like to say thank you to everyone who turned out for the weekend, no matter how small your input may seem it was essential and helped make the weekend so successful.

Blitz & Peaces and the Park Inn rounded the whole weekend off for us, so to them and those who could not make it through rain or other reasons, at least your thoughts were with us - Friday and Sunday brilliant, Saturday YUK!

Thank you each and all of you and to my wife thanks a million for keeping an eye on me each day. If I have missed you out, it is not intentional and I do thank you all.

Lionel R Howell,

10 Cheshire Road, Exmouth