War veterans, service personnel, families and civic dignitaries will be attending a special flag raising ceremony and medal presentation in North Tyneside on Monday (June 20) to launch National Armed Forces anniversary events.
The borough has a very strong relationship with campaign veterans, service personnel, volunteer and regular reserves and will be flying the Armed Forces flag all next week in the lead up to National Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25 June.
On Monday morning the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Sue Winfield will present six Armed Forces Day badges to veterans and two service medals to soldiers from 216 Royal Logistic Corps Volunteers who have served in Afghanistan.
Organised by North Tyneside Council, with the support of North Tyneside War Veterans Committee, the event is taking place at the Tynemouth Army Reserve Centre, New Clifford’s Fort in Tynemouth at 10am.
Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn, who will be welcoming everyone to the event, said: “Here in North Tyneside we recognise the contribution of all those who serve and who have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces. As a Council I believe it is important to work closely with the ex-service community and I am pleased to say that North Tyneside has a special relationship with its veterans having previously awarding the Freedom of the Borough to the two branches of the Royal British Legion – Forest Hall and North Shields, Whitley Bay and District – and North Tyneside Veterans Committee.
“In relaying appreciation of the personal sacrifices these individuals have made, I am delighted to be have been invited to take part in the presentation of the Armed Forces Day badges which was launched in 2004 to raise the profile of veterans. It symbolises the motif of all of our armed forces as a way of uniting veterans and igniting public recognition of veteran contribution to society.”
This year marks significant anniversaries including the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland.