A ceremony to mark the start of Armed Forces Week took place at Farnham Town Council on Monday.
Guests included members of the 3rd battalion of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment based in Farnham, the town’s cadet forces as well as young people from All Hallows School and Farnham College and representatives of community organisations including the Army Benevolent Fund.
The Mayor of Farnham, Cllr Mrs Pat Frost unfurled the Armed Forces Day flag and said: “I am delighted to welcome so many to our ceremony today and to recognise the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets. I am particularly pleased to give a special welcome to our ‘old soldiers’ including Sir Ray Tindle and Ian Hunter from the Royal British Legion.”
She said “The simple act of raising the Armed Forces flag shows support for those who are busy working around the world, promoting peace, delivering aid, tackling drug smugglers, providing security and fighting terrorism. It also provides a much valued morale boost for the troops and their families.”
In thanking the Mayor and Farnham Town Council for hosting the flag raising ceremony Captain Willie Mckean from the 3rd battalion of The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment said: “Armed Forces Day and the events around it provide an opportunity for the whole of the UK to celebrate our Armed Forces. It also provides some recognition for the magnificent contribution they make, not only to the defence of our nation, but to people around the world ie this contribution as seen in Sierra Leone, helping to fight the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, training government forces and saving lives in the Mediterranean. Finally it also recognises the role of the cadet adult staff and volunteers’ contribution to the cadet movement, as well as their value within the wider Armed Forces Community”
On Wednesday of Armed Forces week there was a special focus on the Reserve Forces which add so much capacity to the work done by regular armed forces personnel. The national event will be held in Guildford on Saturday 27 June. There will be a special service at Guildford Cathedral, a formal parade in Guildford High Street, a spectacular military show at Stoke Park followed by ‘picnic and proms in the park’ and an impressive air display.
Armed Forces Day 2015
