Flying the flag for Armed Forces Day

Lancashire County Council and other local councils across the county will raise a special Armed Forces Day flag on Monday 23 June.

The flag shows their support and appreciation for the contribution made by our servicemen and women past and present, and for the wider Armed Forces community of families, veterans and cadets.

The raising of the Armed Forces Day flag marks the start of a week of celebrations culminating on Saturday 28 June with the Armed Forces Day national event in Stirling, as well as hundreds of smaller gatherings across the UK.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth KCVO, will hand the flag over to the Chairman of Lancashire County Council, Kevin Ellard, at a ceremony held at County Hall in Preston.

They will joined by the vicar of Preston, Father Timothy Lipscomb, as well as representatives from the Royal British Legion, armed forces groups, soldiers from Fulwood Barracks, council staff and county councillors.

Lord Shuttleworth said: "Armed Forces Day this year has a particular poignancy. As we commemorate the dedication and commitment of our servicemen and women, and all our veterans, it is impossible to forget that in 2014 we are also marking the centenary of the start of World War One, in which almost one million British and Commonwealth servicemen gave their lives. Those famous words 'We will remember them' ring out louder than ever."

Flag raising events will take place on Monday 23 June in each Lancashire district, organised by district councils and attended by a member of the Lancashire Lieutenancy. They will be joined by councillors and officers from the district council and representatives of the Armed Forces and the Royal British Legion.

For further details of the flag raising event in your district, please contact your local council. For details about Armed Forces Day visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk.

For further information please contact: Stephen Axon on 01772 533 194