The Armed Forces Day flag is flying high across the UK as celebrations begin ahead of the seventh annual Armed Forces Day, taking place on Saturday 27 June.
The likes of 10 Downing Street, Government departments and Local Authorities will be flying the flag this week to show their support for the Servicemen and women of our Armed forces, past and present.
Wing Commander Tracey Broome, from the Armed Forces Day team, said: “It’s heartening to see so many local communities, businesses and Government organisations displaying their support for the Armed Forces. It’s a great start to the week which will culminate in hundreds of Armed Forces Day events across the country.”
Guildford, hosts of this year’s National Event, began their flag-raising ceremony with an exhilarating journey by air, on water and over land. Tri-service personnel using an RAF Chinook, Army Foxhound armoured vehicles and quadbikes, and Royal Navy rib boats transported the flag to the historic Guildhall in Guildford’s town centre where it was raised.
On Saturday 27 June Guildford are putting on a fantastic show of military displays and live music and entertainment at the National Event. Guildford Council, the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force have pulled out all of the stops to make sure it will be a day to remember.
Across the UK Armed Forces Day has been attracting a host of supporters this year from businesses such as BT with a message of support on the BT Tower; Royal Mail with an Armed Forces Day postmark on all mail delivered in the UK on June 27; and National Express with discounted travel to the National Event.
Celebrities and sports personalities, such as Gary Lineker, Sir Derek Jacobi and Lorraine Kelley, have also been showing their support by sending in their salutes.
The public are also being encouraged to Fly the Flag across their social media channels by adopting the Armed Forces Day Twibbon.
MOD ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR THE 70th ANNIVERSARY OF VICTORY OVER JAPAN DAY
The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with The Royal British Legion, will lead commemorations this summer to mark the 70th Anniversary of the Victory over Japan Day, taking place on Saturday 15 August 2015 in Central London.
Personnel from all three Services will provide ceremonial support to the commemorations, known as “VJ Day 70”, and will assist veterans of the Far East campaign, former Prisoners of War, civilian internees, and their families as they mark this historic anniversary commemorating the end of the war in the Pacific.
The anniversary aims to pay tribute to all those who served in the Armed Forces, including those who served in the famous 14th Army in Burma, who helped secure victory. Prisoners of War and civilian internees from the conflict will also be recognised.
Events on 15 August will begin with a special commemoration on Horse Guards Parade, attended by senior political and military representatives from the UK and her Allies during the campaign, veterans and their families, which will include at its heart a traditional Drumhead Service. Following this, current members of the Armed Forces will lead veterans and their families in a VJ Parade down Whitehall, past the Cenotaph, and the statue of Field Marshal Lord Slim, who famously led the 14th Army in Burma, and is synonymous with the Second World War in the Far East. After the parade, veterans and their families will be hosted at a 70th anniversary reception.
Earlier in the day, a special VJ Day 70 service will be held at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square organised by a federation of organisations representing Prisoners of War, civilian internees, their widows and families.
Speaking about the plans for the 70th anniversary, Secretary of State Michael Fallon said: “70 years on from the final victory of Allied Forces, the debt of gratitude that we owe those who delivered it is greater than ever.
“This important anniversary will be an occasion for us to repay that debt once again – to the Veterans of the campaign, to all those who lost their lives, and to the many military Prisoners of War and civilian internees who suffered in captivity.”
The Ministry of Defence is working closely with partners across Government and with external agencies to deliver a fitting day of commemorations to mark the anniversary, enabling all veterans – military or civilian – and their families the opportunity to participate in the commemorative events taking place in London. These include the Burma Star Association, named after the decoration many VJ Day veterans hold, and the National FEPOW (Far East Prisoners of War) Fellowship Welfare Remembrance Association. Funding support is available to enable veterans and their guests to attend the commemorations.
Viscount Slim, President of the Burma Star Association and son of Field Marshal Slim, said: “VJ Day is important to us in the Burma Star Association and on 15 August the Government is holding a 70th anniversary memorial event in London.
“I know the numbers of veterans are thinning but we urge the public to try and come, and participate in memory of those who fell both during the campaign and subsequently."
Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, President of the Royal British Legion, which is the Government’s key delivery partner for the commemorations said: “The Royal British Legion is honoured to be involved with the organisation of national events to mark the 70th Anniversary of Victory over Japan on the 15th August 2015. Over the years, veterans who served in the Far East after Victory in Europe was announced three months earlier have expressed that they often felt overlooked or forgotten. While people were celebrating at home and returning to normal lives, those fighting in the Far East were still at war.
“These 70th anniversary commemorations are an opportunity for the nation to show their gratitude to these “forgotten” veterans, and acknowledge the endurance and determination they showed in continuing the fight in the most challenging of environments to bring the Second World War to an ultimate end.”
Veterans and families wishing to attend the events in London on 15 August should register their interest by contacting their association or The Royal British Legion on: