West Princes Street Gardens will welcome a parade of serving personnel, veterans and their supporters today as special events are held to celebrate Armed Forces Day.
Celebrations in Edinburgh will start from 10.30am on Saturday 24 June as the annual parade of up of 300 – 500 serving personnel and veterans takes place along George Street and round to Castle Street. Then they will reassemble in West Princes Street Gardens where they will be welcomed by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, and there will be live music until 3pm.
Highlights will include: The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, Amy Hawthorn, Stuart Mclean, Maria Townsley and Angus Munro. The event will be hosted by BFBS Broadcaster Mark McKenzie.
On Monday (19 June), the Armed Forces Day flag was presented to the Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron and Council Leader Cammy Day and raised above the City Chambers to honour Armed Forces personnel past, present and future.
‘Raise the Flag Day’ is when hundreds of civic and government buildings throughout the United Kingdom will fly the Armed Forces Day flag until just after the weekend.
The Armed Forces Day events in Edinburgh are open to all to show their support for the Armed Forces and veterans.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, said: “This city has a long and proud tradition of supporting the Armed Forces and our veterans. Holding a day of celebration in their honour is just one of the ways the people of Edinburgh can show their support.
“This is the city’s way of saying thank you and allows us to show our gratitude and appreciation for the enormous sacrifices being made every day on our behalf by so many courageous men and women.”
Brian Ward at Legion Scotland, said: “Legion Scotland is proud to play a part in the Edinburgh Armed Forces Day parade to honour Armed Forces personnel and show our gratitude and support for our veterans.
“We stand together to pay tribute to so many brave members of our Armed Forces who made enormous sacrifices to help protect our freedom.”
Similar events will take place across the UK, enabling people to come out and show their support, and giving a much-valued morale boost for Armed Forces personnel and their families.
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