Dave’s our man at the Pentagon

FROM Sholver to the Pentagon — an Oldham soldier’s service has earned him a tour of America’s famous defence headquarters.

Ex-pat Cpl Dave Meredith, who now lives in Germany, has been given a VIP pass to the iconic building in Washington as part of a special celebration.

Born and bred in Oldham, Cpl Meredith grew up in Top Sholver, attending St Thomas’ School before leaving Counthill School to join the Army in 1983.

He served in the Royal Engineers, undertaking tours of Canada and the Gulf War and earning five medals for his service, including for the 1991 Gulf War, Long Service and Good Conduct, Queen’s Jubilee, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

In 1986, he was posted in Germany where his regular career ended in 1995 and he settled down to live in Osnabrueck.

But the 43-year-old has continued to serve after joining a special Territorial Army troop — the 412 Amph Troop, Royal Engineers, based in Hameln — that was formed in Germany in 1997.

He serves as a corporal and his dedication has seen him selected, along with four colleagues, for an anniversary celebration.

Every year the UK TA sends a small number of troops to America, with the national guard sending the same amount back across the Atlantic.

This year, however, is the 25th anniversary of the exchange, so the American military has organised a celebration event.

It consists of four days in Washington DC, with a sightseeing tour and full VIP status.

The highlight on June 2 will be a tour of the Pentagon and a dinner evening with guests including senior UK and American military officials.

Cpl Meredith said: “I’m very proud to be chosen and even more proud to be representing the British Army and the UK in the USA.”

The famously-shaped building opened in 1943 and is the world’s largest office building by floor area.

It’s home to around 23,000 military and civilian employees and 3,000 non-defence support personnel. It has five sides, five floors above ground level (plus two basement floors), five ring corridors per floor and a five-acre central plaza.

During 9/11 in 2001, hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 was crashed into the western side, killing 189 people.