How Leicestershire will pay its tributes on Armed Forces Day this week

An image from the new webpage that has been created for the armed forces - visit www.leicester.gov.uk/armedforcesweek

Leicestershire is paying tribute to the armed forces community with a digital celebration to mark Armed Forces Day 2021.

Covid restrictions mean the traditional cathedral service, parade through the city centre and flag-raising at County Hall cannot take place in their usual format.

Instead, the city and county councils, together with the Lieutenancy office and local armed forces units, have again united to create an alternative way to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

The national event takes place on Saturday June 26.

The country will come together to show its appreciation and support for those within the armed forces community - including serving troops and their families, reservists, veterans and cadets.

A new webpage has been created, with content playing tribute to our armed forces - visit www.leicester.gov.uk/armedforcesweekIt features a video from the Lord-Lieutenant’s Army Cadet Lance Corporal Saxon Nugent, footage from the 2019 Armed Forces Day parade and a link to the livestream of the service which will be hosted in Leicester Cathedral on Saturday.

The traditional flag-raising ceremony at County Hall has been pre-recorded and a link is available on the webpage.

This year the flag was raised by Phil Walden, chairman of Leicestershire and Rutland Royal British Legion, in the presence of just 20 people, representing serving armed forces personnel and veterans.

Leicestershire is also supporting the national #SaluteOurForces campaign.

The council is calling on people from all walks of life to post pictures and videos of them saluting in tribute.

The new webpage has lots of fascinating facts about the history of the salute, as well as short video clips from members of all three services demonstrating the subtle differences between their salutes.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE, said; “We are delighted to be running the #SaluteOurForces campaign again this year.

“After so much success in 2020, and engagement from so many people across Leicester and Leicestershire, we are looking forward to putting together another impressive and diverse virtual parade.”

He added: “This is a simple way for all of us to pay tribute to our local armed forces, not just for what they are doing currently, but for all their hard work, dedication and efforts to keep us safe in the UK and across the globe.”

Leicestershire County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Pam Posnett MBE, said: “It is a great honour and privilege to once again be a part of this national event to honour our armed forces and to show our appreciation for their vital service and dedication.

"Armed Forces Day is a way for us to join with people across the country to show our support for those men and women who currently serve – both regular and reserve – and to remember those who have served in the past.”

The city’s commemorations also included a flag-raising event on Monday June 21 at the town hall, including the Lord-Lieutenant and Lord Mayor of Leicester.

A new video will also be on YouTube which captures a flavour of the work of the members of the armed forces, flag raising at both the city and county and footage of previous parades held in the city centre.

You can watch the film here: https://bit.ly/3vONTsu