Sunderland still plans to raise the flag for Armed Forces Day
Coun Snowdon said: “Sunderland is proud of its strong relationship with our Armed Forces and this annual flag raising ceremony is an opportunity for us to demonstrate our thanks for all that they do for us.
“Although we cannot celebrate together in person this year, we are united in showing our continued support for all those across all the Armed Forces and we encourage communities to hold their own socially distanced celebrations with their families at home.
“Armed Forces Day provides us all with the opportunity to show how much we value and appreciate the contribution and sacrifices they and their families make on all our behalf. Raising the flag also helps us to remember National
Reserves Day earlier in the week”
Jessica May, chair of Sunderland
Armed Forces Partnership and Sunderland Veterans Forum, Sunderland
Partnership manager, said: “Our city has strong links to the Armed Forces and those close ties continue with young people joining the forces to serve our country with honour and distinction, returning home to civilian life as valued members of their community, greatly enriched by their experiences.
“I am extremely proud that as a city we take a moment to reflect on the contribution that they have made and continue to make so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we do.”
Members of the public are encouraged to send their messages of thanks to the services, plus any stories of their own time served in the armed forces, to be included in the virtual celebrations by using #MySunderland on social media.
National Reserves Day is on Wednesday, June 24.