The Isle of Wight Council marked the start of Armed Forces Week with a flag-raising ceremony earlier today (Monday).
Civic leaders and councillors, including Isle of Wight Lord-Lieutenant, Susie Sheldon, council chairman Councillor Geoff Brodie, council leader Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox and High Sheriff James Attrill, gathered for the occasion at a socially distanced ceremony held in St Thomas’ Square, Newport.
Armed Forces Day is an annual event celebrated in June to commemorate the service, past and present, of men and women serving in the British Armed Forces.
Royal Marine Cadet, Dan Williams, of Ryde Sea Cadet Corps, helped raise the flag at today’s event.
Councillor Brodie said:
“Flying the Armed Forces flag is an important way to show our support to the men and women who have served and currently do so, to keep us safe.
“We, as a community, owe a huge debt of gratitude to all members, including reservists and veterans, of the Armed Forces who defend the UK and its interest around the world. They have delivered aid, provided security and fought terrorism in some of the most inhospitable places and continue to do so.
“The past 12 months have shown the adaptability of Armed Forces personnel in continuing to help keep us safe through assisting with the COVID-19 pandemic, be it staffing mobile testing sites to delivering PPE equipment.
Article continues below this advertisement “We also remember those who have fallen and honour their sacrifice and service, and we must never forget the huge debt of gratitude we owe them.”
During the pandemic, the Armed Forces supported the creation of extra capacity at St Mary’s Hospital by the Scots Guards and reservists from the Island’s 266 Squadron; the testing of arrangements for moving critical care patients off Island in a RAF Chinook helicopter and, from the Royal Navy, the provision of liaison officers to support the Department of Health in the NHS App trial.
The council also took the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to honour the Armed Forces Covenant, which sets out the authority’s relationship with the Armed Forces and the services available to current and former personnel and their families.
National Armed Forces Week culminates in Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26th June.
Nice to see The Lord Lieutenant could attend. I realise she is a busy lady, but last November, during very limiting restrictions, only Ventnor was to hold a Remembrance Parade and she promised to attend as Newport’s was cancelled. Until Newport, rightly so, changed its mind and she went to that parade in the morning, but was too tired to attend another one in south Wight in the afternoon. I know a 95 year old who attended three services on that day and managed to cook a roast dinner for his great grandchildren. He fought at Arnhem. That, I believe, was tiring…
Where do you get your info from, Shanklin held theirs at the normal time and place and was was well attended and all stuck to the social distancing rules.