Honouring the Armed Forces from home

This year Rossendale Borough Council will celebrate Armed Forces Week remotely.

The coronavirus pandemic means that the usual ceremony to celebrate Armed Forces Week will not be held as usual. The Union Flag has been raised in Rawtenstall however, and will remain flying for this week.

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.

This year, people are being encouraged to remember veterans and currently serving members of the armed forces wherever they are, at home or at work.

Councillor Alyson Barnes, Leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said:

We are facing some very serious issues in our borough, in the country and in across the world at the moment, due to the coronavirus crisis, but our dedicated members of the Armed Forces continue to serve and work hard every day to help keep us all safe.

While we are not having the flag raising ceremony this year, I would encourage people to take the time to think of our brave men and women and show their support for the sacrifices they make every day, as well as their families and our veterans.”

Councillor Christine Gill, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said:

Armed Forces Day is our chance to say thank you and give our support to those who make up the Armed Forces Community.

As Armed Forces Champion for the Council and trustee of our own Veterans in Communities Organisation; 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.”

Watch the Mayor’s speech for Armed Forces Day below:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=roekigQuMIE&t=7s