Marking Armed Forces Day 2021

TRIBUTES are being paid to servicemen and women to mark Armed Forces Day 2021 in Inverclyde.

The annual event, which takes place on Saturday 26 June 2021, is an opportunity for people to show their support to members of the Armed Forces and the wider community, from currently serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets.

To mark the occasion, the Armed Forces Day flag is being flown at Inverclyde Council buildings this weekend.

Depute Provost David Wilson, raised the ensign at the Garden of Remembrance in Clyde Square, Greenock, on Thursday, which is being used in place of the Municipal Buildings flagpole due to ongoing maintenance work.

The flag is also being flown at Port Glasgow Town Hall and Gourock Municipal Buildings. 

Depute Provost Wilson, who is also patron of Port Glasgow Army Cadets, said: “Armed Forces Day allows us to pause and pay tribute to our brave servicemen and women for the sacrifices they have made to protect our nations and keep us all safe.

Armed Forces Day Depute Provost Councillor David Wilson raising the flag
Armed Forces Day. Depute Provost Councillor David Wilson raising the flag.

“It’s a moment to recognise and be thankful for our serving military personnel, as well as our veterans, cadets and all their families, who are all very much part of the wider family and play important roles in their own right.

“I hope people will take a moment this weekend to recognise and celebrate our Armed Forces.”

A small ceremony would usually take place to mark Armed Forces Day but because of Covid-19 restrictions Inverclyde Council has collaborated with neighbouring local authorities in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire on a commemorative video which is now available to watch on YouTube at www.youtube.com/inverclydecouncil.

It features tributes from Provost of Inverclyde, Martin Brennan, and Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet, Abigail Cameron, who is with the Air Cadets, from the top of Lyle Hill. 

There are also special messages from the civic figureheads of the other two local authority areas and Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Renfrewshire, Colonel Peter McCarthy.

In his message, Provost Brennan, who this year paid special tribute to the Royal Navy, said: “Inverclyde is very much a maritime community so the Royal Navy is especially relevant to us.

Provost Martin Brennan appearing in an Armed Forces Day video which was partly filmed at Lyle Hill
Provost Martin Brennan appearing in an Armed Forces Day video which was partly filmed at Lyle Hill.

“Our river – the Clyde - and the seas beyond have shaped the lives and work of people here for generations. In peace, and in war, Inverclyde has played its part in the story of the Royal Navy.

“On Armed Forces Day, we acknowledge the debt we owe to the men and women of our armed services.

“They come – and have come – from our community and from communities across Britain very much like our own.

“Their task is, quite simply, to put themselves in harm’s way to protect us from danger.”

To watch the video visit www.youtube.com/inverclydecouncil.