East Suffolk Council
Community connection honoured for Armed Forces Day
A week of activities will commemorate the bond between locally based armed forces personnel and the neighbouring Suffolk civil community.
Beginning with a dual flag-raising ceremony and culminating in a celebratory public gathering, events will reaffirm a pledge made by local authorities in October 2012 – with the signing of the Suffolk Armed Forces Community Covenant – to support the local armed forces community and develop mutually beneficial projects.
Since 1990, the Ministry of Defence has supported local communities to organise Armed Forces Day events that give thanks to the armed forces community, including serving military personnel, veterans, service families, reservists and cadets.
Each year, Suffolk council leaders have agreed to coordinate, host and support an annual Armed Forces Day event for the county. This year’s events, hosted by East Suffolk Council, will once again aim to raise public awareness of the contribution made by His Majesty's Armed Forces, and show public support for the men and women of the armed forces community.
Katie Graham, East Suffolk Council cabinet member for communities, leisure and tourism, said:
“We’re proud of our military history and our connection to armed forces based in Suffolk.
“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for us to celebrate that bond and show our support for serving troops, service families, veterans, reservists and cadets.
“We’d like to invite the community to help us recognise our affiliation with the armed forces and pay tribute to their actions, past and present.”
A week of activities will take place in Woodbridge – the closest town to Rock Barracks and home to 23 Parachute Engineer Regiment – with a showcase public event arranged to thank armed forces personnel and their families for the service and sacrifices made on behalf of the nation.
Local businesses and residents will be encouraged to create window displays to put on show from Saturday 17 June, ahead of Armed Forces Week, which begins with flag-raising ceremonies at both Rock Barracks and the Woodbridge war memorial on Market Hill on Monday 19 June.
From 3pm to 6pm on Thursday 22 June, Elmhurst Park will host a community event, attended by local dignitaries, armed forces families, veterans, cadets and scouts, and featuring a small ‘static’ parade of local detachments at 4pm, as well as military charity stalls and information stands, music, food and refreshments. The parade will also be followed by a small reception for invited military personnel, their guests, and dignitaries.