Queen gives thanks for the military
THE QUEEN has thanked serving members of the military and veterans for their work ahead of Armed Forces Day today.
In the year that marks the 75th anniversary of VE Day, the commemoration will mostly be celebrated virtually for the first time in history, with military bands performing via the Armed Forces Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Red Arrows will today fly over Scarborough, where official celebrations were due to be held, the Army’s Catterick Garrison and RAF Leeming.
The Queen said: “Today provides an opportunity for thanks and a recognition of the dedication and risks faced by those serving our nation. We also have cause to thank veterans, who continue to contribute to our way of life, long after they leave the Armed Forces.
“Having had members of my family serve in each of the armed services, I know only too well of the pride service personnel take in their duty. As your Commander-in-Chief, I send my warmest best wishes to you all, your families and the entire Armed Forces community.”
PRIME MINISTER Boris Johnson said he was “proud to salute” the work of the nation’s military ahead of Armed Forces Day.
The Red Arrows are due to fly over North Yorkshire to mark the day, which honours the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Armed Forces Day National Event, hosted by Scarborough Borough Council, has been postponed until next year.
But a website has been set up and there are still a small number of events still going on, such as the flag-raising ceremony at Scarborough
Castle, which can be watched online.
The distinctive Hawk fast-jets of the Red Arrows will fly over the British Army’s Catterick Garrison, RAF Leeming and then Scarborough.
Mr Johnson said: “Whether you’re a regular, a reservist, a civilian contractor, a veteran, or the family and friends who support our military in so many ways, we as a nation salute you. We know that – day and night, at home and abroad, at sea, on land, in the air and even in space and online – our fantastic Armed Forces are there for us.
“And it’s for all that and more, that I’m proud to salute our Armed Forces.”
The day, which celebrates the work serving troops, service families, veterans and cadets, is a day to “say thank you to our worldclass armed forces”, according to the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, Johanna Ropner.
“Armed Forces Day won’t go unnoticed. An enormous amount of work has been put into it – councils and towns have worked really positively on it and there’s a lot still happening virtually.”
She praised the work done in the region during the pandemic, including at RAF Leeming, where the coronavirus tracing app was first tested, and the Armed Forces personnel at Catterick carrying out Covid-19 testing among members of the public.
Yorkshire has been particularly thankful to the Armed Forces during recent years, with the military on hand to help during numerous bouts of flooding in the region, including the severe deluge in the Don Valley at the end of last year.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “The last year has been a busy one for our servicemen and servicewomen of the UK Armed Forces.
“Their professionalism, commitment and versatility have rarely been more evident than during the pandemic.”
Scarborough suffered particularly heavy bombardment on one day in December 1914 during the First World War as German battleships killed 17 people, destroyed buildings in the town and hit the town’s 12th century castle, the damage of which is still visible today.
During the Second World War, on one night in March 1941, known as the Scarborough Blitz, 28 people were killed and hundreds of others were injured by high explosive parachute mines dropped on the coastal town by German planes.
We salute you. We know our fantastic Armed Forces are there for us. Prime Minister Boris Johnson.