Dumfries and Galloway is celebrating Armed Forces Week with events taking place from Monday 23 June.
Events are being held as part of the annual national campaign to provide everyone with the opportunity to show their support for the men and women of the armed forces, past and present, including serving troops, their families, reservists, veterans and cadets.
To start the week flag raising events are taking place across our region on Monday 23 June:
- At 10am at the Midsteeple in Dumfries, Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE – the council’s Armed Forces Champion – will be the Master of Ceremonies; and His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant for Dumfries, Major Charles Milroy TD VR DL will do a vote of thanks.
- At 11am at Annan Town Hall, Market Hill in Castle Douglas, Moffat Town Hall, Castle Square in Stranraer, and Sanquhar Tolbooth.
- At 12.30pm at Dashwood Square, Newton Stewart
- At 6.00pm at Colliston Park, Dalbeattie.
The flags will be flown until 30 June.
On Armed Forces Day, Saturday 28 June, a parade will take place from 11.40am until 12.30pm in Dumfries Town Centre. The parade will be led by members of Dumfries and Annan Town Bands, followed by representatives of our retired and serving armed forces personnel. Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE will be the master of ceremonies.
Councillor Malcolm Johnstone, Convener, Dumfries and Galloway Council, said: “Armed Forces Day is our opportunity to show our appreciation for those that have served and who continue to serve in our armed forces. In Dumfries and Galloway, our armed forces are very well supported by people from across the length and breadth of the region. A recent example of this was when many people came joined us on 10 May to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day in recognition of the significant sacrifice that was made by so many during the Second World War. Reflecting on that day, there was a huge sense of respect and gratitude for those who have served and who continue to serve, further enhancing the strong support for the armed forces”.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “I am pleased to invite all veterans, reserves, cadets and serving personnel to come along to mark the occasion with us by being part of the parade; and to everyone in our community to come along and watch. It is testament to the value that our citizens place on armed forces personnel that so many people come along to support us and I would encourage anyone to share in the camaraderie and pride that comes from being part of this event.”
