Prime Minister Tony Blair has written a special message supporting the award of the Freedom of the Borough to the Third United States Air Force (USAF), and welcoming USAAF and USAF veterans to the town.

Mr Blair's message says:
"I was delighted to hear that the Borough Council of St Edmundsbury is to recognise the many years of co-operation and friendly relations which have existed between the Third Air Force and its predecessors in East Anglia, and the people of Bury St Edmunds, by the award of the Freedom of the Borough.

I hope that all of you who have made the return visit to this ancient and distinguished town will enjoy your stay in our country. There will no doubt be old friendships to be renewed, tales to be told of wartime service and the opportunity for quiet reflection on your experiences as young men and women, fighting in the cause of freedom so far from home.

On behalf of the British people I would like you to know that you are most welcome and that the bonds of friendship which began so many years ago remain unbroken today. I am pleased that the hope expressed by my predecessor in 1945 that you would be able to return to this country in happier times has indeed been fulfilled."

When researching the background to USAF in East Anglia, the Council's Recreation Officer, Howard Cook, came across the last issue of the American forces' magazine Stars and Stripes magazine published in Britain, in 1945. In there was a letter from the Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, dated October 15 1945, which reflects the sentiments of the Freedom of the Borough.

Mr Attlee wrote:
"Today, when after three years of publication the Stars and Stripes issues its last British edition, I am glad to have an opportunity of saying to its readers how much we in Britain have enjoyed the contacts made with them while they have been here.

They came to us from every part of the United States before moving on in large and ever rising numbers to take part with British, Dominion and Allied comrades in great and victorious battles.

Now, when the immense tasks of war have been brought to a glorious conclusion, we look forward to continuing an ever-growing friendship with the United States in the achievements of peace. We believe that the friendships made between so many British and American men and women during the war will provide one of the durable strands in that companionship.

Through you I wish our wartime guests from America godspeed and happiness in the manifold activities of peace as they return home. We hope we shall have the pleasure of welcoming many of them back as peacetime visitors and renew in happier times the individual friendships made in war."

When she saw this letter, Ann Clarke, the Council's Public Relations Officer, thought it would be nice to have a message from the current Prime Minister and wrote to him explaining what the Council was doing and that veteran American servicemen and women were expected to return to the area for the Freedom celebrations.

Ann Clarke said:
"I was absolutely delighted to receive the Prime Minister's message. A letter from his Private Secretary says that he was very interested to learn of the special relationship that exists between the Borough and the Third United States Air Force. The Prime Minister also sends his good wishes to all concerned for a successful and enjoyable event. I hope Bury St Edmunds will do itself proud and turn out to witness the troops parade their Freedom on Sunday."