SPECIAL flag raising ceremonies to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week have taken place at Hereford Cathedral and in the market towns.

Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire Mr Edward Harley OBE, The Chair of Herefordshire Council Councillor Sebastian Bowen, Mayor of Hereford Councillor Paul Stevens and senior figures from all three services attended a small outdoor tribute at Hereford Cathedral with invited guests representing military charities, the armed forces and veteran community.

Armed Forces Week (21-26 June 2021) a chance to show public support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.

Lord Lieutenant Mr Edward Harley said: “We are showing our support for the armed forces which I hope will provide a much-valued morale boost for the troops and their families. Over the past year we have been particularly aware of the armed force’s significant role in the life of our nation. Over 5,000 troops involved in the rolling out of the vaccine programme, which the Ministry of Defence has called ‘the biggest ever homeland military operation in peacetime’. I would like to say a big thank you to our armed forces past and present.”

Councillor Sebastian Bowen, Chair of Herefordshire Council said: “We are here to celebrate and support our armed services. The word ‘services’ is very important in this context as it is key to what they do. They give enormous service to this country and all around the world. We must never forget their contribution to the welfare of this country both in peace time and war time.”

Other flag-raising events organised by town councils took place in Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury and Leominster.

Erica Hermon, Associate Director of Corporate Governance for Wye Valley NHS Trust said: “An Armed Forces flag will fly throughout the week at Hereford County Hospital. We employ and have as patients, many veterans, reservists who give up their spare time to serve in the reserve forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career, and family and friends without which our armed forces couldn’t do their job – all should be celebrated.”

Although Armed Forces Day events have been cancelled this year there are still plenty of ways to show support.

#SaluteOurForces is a social media campaign where businesses and the public can post and dedicate their salutes online.

There are also some great resources and activities to be found on the Armed Forces Day website including how each branch of the Armed Forces salutes. To find out more please visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk