Stevenage’s MP and mayor joined the Royal British Legion and other veterans yesterday for the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag ahead of this year’s celebration on Saturday.
The flag was raised at Daneshill House in Danestrete yesterday morning, with MP Stephen McPartland and mayor Pam Stuart among those in attendance.
Armed Forces Day is marked this year on Saturday, June 24, and aims to raise awareness of the contributions and sacrifices made by serving and former members of the navy, marines, army and air force – as well as other members of the armed forces community, such as service families.
After the flag-raising at 10am, the mayor said: “Our armed forces risk their lives to keep us safe so it is only right that we do all we can to support them.
“Stevenage has such a strong community spirit and events like Armed Forces Day allow us to all come together and celebrate their commitment to our country.”
She afterwards hosted a coffee morning for veterans and community groups.
Representatives of the Royal British Legion, Army Cadets and Royal Air Force will be in Stevenage Town Square on Saturday to mark Armed Forces Day.
The town’s indoor market is also celebrating the occasion, with free face painting, Armed Forces Day cupcakes, balloons, and arts and crafts on offer.
There will also be a treasure hunt with a prize for every child, and a prize draw for adults.
Letchworth’s Royal British Legion branch will be celebrating Armed Forces Day in Broadway Gardens from 10am to 5pm on Saturday, with a funfair, military dogs and vehicles, cadets’ drill, pipe band and more.
There will be a challenge cup for the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Force Cadets, and visitors can join in the cadets’ drill if they’d like to have a go.
At Chicksands, the former RAF station near Shefford, SSVC Forces Cinemas are to hold a free screening of the new film Churchill, starting Brian Cox and Miranda Richardson, for military personnel and their families in support of Armed Forces Day on Friday night from 7.30pm.
The film follows the iconic prime minister in the days before the Normandy landings of June 1944. Entry to the cinema will be a first-come, first-served basis.
To find out more about Armed Forces Day see armedforcesday.org.uk.
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