Flying flag for armed forces
AFLAG raising ceremony will be held in St Mary’s Gardens, Rawtenstall, to mark Armed Forces Day.
Armed Forces Day gives people the opportunity to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces past and present and the sacrifices they made and continue to make.
It also comes after the 40th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War was commemorated across the area this week.
In total 255 UK servicemen lost their lives in the conflict, along with 655 Argentine soldiers and three Falkland Islanders.
The ceremony will take place at 10am on Monday, June 20, when a short service will be led by Reverend Rod Bevan.
Assembly will be at 9.50am in readiness for the proceedings to commence promptly at 10am. Refreshments will be served after the event in St Mary’s Church.
The event will be attended by the Mayor, Coun Anne Cheetham OBE, JP, and Mayoress Mrs Dorothy Jones, as well as Deputy Lieutenant Louise Cooper BEM and the Mayor of Whitworth, Coun Janet Whitehead.
The Mayor said: “We’re proud to be able to support National Armed Forces Day in Rossendale.
“People in the borough serve and have served in the armed forces and should be recognised for their dedication and selflessness.
“Everyone is welcome to attend, and I would encourage people to take the time to show their support to the brave men and women for the sacrifices they make every day, as well as their families and our veterans.
“Armed Forces Day is our chance to say thank you and give our support to those who make up the Armed Forces Community.
“I will be laying a wreath in memory of those who did not return from The Falklands forty years ago.”
Coun Marilyn Procter, the council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “As Armed Forces Champion for the Council, I would like to pay tribute to our Armed Forces veterans and thank them for the sacrifices they have made in serving our country.
“A special mention also to our splendid Army Cadets and Air Cadets, as along with our young people, we look forward to the future.”