On Monday 23 June, the Mayor of Solihull raised the Armed Forces Flag at the Royal British Legion memorial in Shirley Park. The flag raising ceremony was held in honour of the Armed Forces Community, who fight or have fought for their country, to show support and appreciation for their service.
Armed Forces Day takes place on the last Saturday of June every year, falling this year on Saturday 28 June. There is a week of celebrations leading up to Armed Forces Day to support and honour the Armed Forces community, from currently serving personnel to service families, veterans and cadets.
Those attending included local dignitaries, members of the public, the Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Brendan Connor OBE JP DL, Shirley Royal British Legion and pupils from Kingswood School. A blessing was given by the Chaplain, before the mayor raised the Armed Forces Day flag. She said a few words about the importance of commemorating past and present Armed Forces personnel, which was followed by a one-minute silence.
The Mayor of Solihull, Cllr Annette Mackenzie said:
“It was a personal privilege to raise the flag to honour Armed Forces Day this year. This is a special opportunity to offer appreciation and respect to all Armed Forces personnel – the courageous men and women who serve - and have served, as well as the reservists, veterans and cadets who have all made sacrifices to protect our country.
“This flag is a visible reminder of our deep respect and unwavering appreciation for the Armed Forces community. With the Armed Forces Day Flag raised, let it symbolise our enduring commitment to those who serve our nation with honour. As conflicts continue around the world, it remains crucial that we recognise the bravery of our Armed Forces as they promote peace and deliver aid. I was honoured to be a part of this year’s event and would like to thank the Royal British Legion Shirley for inviting me.”
Ken Russell, Branch Chairman of Shirley Royal British Legion, said:
“This is an occasion to remind ourselves of the dedication of the men and women who serve our country selflessly, often in the most challenging circumstances. Today, we come together to express our respect, admiration, and solidarity.”
Mick Schilling from Shirley Photographic Society was on hand to capture images from the service, visit: https://shirleyphoto.org/
To find out more about Armed Forces Day, visit: https://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/
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