The national flag raising ceremony, officially marking the start of this year’s Armed Forces Week, took place today against the beautiful backdrop of Gyllyngvase beach in Falmouth, Cornwall.
Falmouth is the host town for this year’s National Armed Forces Day celebration, which takes places on Saturday, 24th June. The event is now in its fifteenth year.
Flags are also being raised on public buildings across Cornwall, including town halls, Cornwall Council’s New County Hall and Cornwall’s military bases HMS Raleigh, RAF St Mawgan and RNAS Culdrose, as a mark of respect and thanks to service personnel past and present.
HM Lord Lieutenant for Cornwall Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, RAF Air Commodore Polly Perkins CBE, Cornwall Council leader Linda Taylor, Chairman of Cornwall Council Cllr Pauline Giles, the Mayor of Falmouth Kirstie Edwards, serving military from the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, as well as cadets and veterans, gathered for the official ceremony. The ceremony included a flypast by 2 F-35B Lightning aircraft from 207 Sqn, the Joint Royal Navy & RAF Lightning Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Marham, along the coastline of Falmouth to entertain gathered crowds.
Lord Lieutenant for Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, began proceedings with ‘a very big thank you’ to the Armed Forces. He said:
Our military personnel are amongst the most outstanding and flexible in the world. They are there when we need them on the home front, as seen during the pandemic; they have been there to rescue our citizens from the civil war in Sudan and they are there to defend us from potential aggressors, if necessary.
Throughout the rest of this Armed Forces Week, over 150 events are being held in towns and cities across the country for the public to show their support for serving personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets and the families that support them.
Earlier today in London, the iconic Piccadilly Lights were taken over to tell a story of community, belonging and professionalism for Armed Forces Day 2023.
The Three of Us, a short film produced by a team of British Military Photographers from across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, celebrates the sacrifices and commitment of the men and women who work tirelessly to defend the UK and protect our people all day, every day.
