Herefordshire raises the Armed Forces flag to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week 2021
Special flag raising ceremonies to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week took place at Hereford Cathedral and in the market towns on Monday 21 June.
Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire Mr Edward Harley OBE, The Chair of Herefordshire Council Councillor Sebastian Bowen, Mayor of Hereford Councillor Paul Stevens and senior figures from all three services attended a small outdoor tribute at Hereford Cathedral with invited guests representing military charities, the armed forces and veteran community.
Armed Forces Week (21-26 June 2021) a chance to show public support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.
Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire Mr Edward Harley OBE said:
“Today marks Flag Raising Day - the beginning of Armed Forces week. It is a chance to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community; from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans, and cadets. By having our ceremony today, we are showing our support for the Armed Forces which I hope will provide a much-valued morale boost for the troops and their families. Over the past year we have been particularly aware of the armed force’s significant role in the life of our nation. Over 5,000 troops involved in the rolling out of the vaccine programme, which the Ministry of Defence has called ‘the biggest ever homeland military operation in peacetime’. I would like to say a big thank you to our Armed forces past and present.”
Councillor Sebastian Bowen, Chair of Herefordshire Council said:
“We are here to celebrate and support our Armed Services. The word ‘services’ is very important in this context as it is key to what they do. They give enormous service to this country and all around the world. We must never forget their contribution to the welfare of this country both in peace time and war time.”
Ross-on-Wye Town Council were due to host Armed Forces Day this year on behalf of the county. Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, celebrations have been postponed to 2022 when large-scale public events will hopefully resume.
Other flag-raising events organised by town councils took place on Monday 21 June in Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury and Leominster.
Erica Hermon, Associate Director of Corporate Governance for Wye Valley NHS Trust said:
“An Armed Forces flag will fly throughout the week at Hereford County Hospital. Wye Valley NHS Trust employs, and has as patients, many veterans, reservists who give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career, and family and friends without which our Armed Forces couldn’t do their job – all should be celebrated. The Trust are also very proud to have been recognised recently as a Veteran Aware trust, leading the way in improving veterans’ care within the NHS, as part of the Veterans Covenant Healthcare Alliance (VCHA).”
Although Armed Forces Day events have been cancelled this year there are still plenty of ways to show support.
#SaluteOurForces is a social media campaign where businesses and the public can post and dedicate their salutes online.
There are also some great resources and activities to be found on the Armed Forces Day website including how each branch of the Armed Forces salutes. To find out more please visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk