Sunderland celebrates Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day takes place every year on the last Saturday in June and acknowledges the contribution made by military personnel and their families to their country and communities.

To celebrate the day, the Armed Forces Day flag was raised outside the council chamber at Sunderland Civic Centre this morning and will fly until 28 June.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Sunderland, Councillor Henry Trueman and Councillor Dorothy Trueman hosted a limited capacity flag-raising ceremony but welcomed guests including Dr Noman Taylor, Deputy Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear and representation from 4th Regiment Royal Artillery and HMS ANSON.

The Mayor, Cllr Henry Trueman, said: "Today's flag raising ceremony provides us all with the opportunity to think about and pay tribute to all those within the Armed Forces, including their families and support organisations, who continue to make such a huge contribution and sacrifice for all of us in recent years.

"Therefore, I am honoured to represent the people of our city today as we join our colleagues across the country in raising a flag to celebrate Armed Forces Day. 

"Sunderland has a long history of supporting our Armed Forces and has strong affiliations with not only veterans but with serving military, and I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank and pay tribute to them."

Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council and Armed Forces Champion, said: "We often think of the contribution our armed forces make in terms of overseas military operations, but we have witnessed this year, perhaps more than ever, the vital contribution they make at home, whether supporting communities devastated by flooding or more recently delivering PPE equipment to our hospitals, distributing food parcels, helping to construct the Nightingale Hospitals and their help to get everyone in the UK vaccinated against Covid-19.

"Armed Forces Day is our chance to say a huge thank you and let them know we appreciate all they do for the greater good of our country."

Sunderland residents are encouraged to get involved in Armed Forces Day on social media using #ArmedForcesDay.