Armed Forces Week starts in Norfolk
It's been scaled back owing to lockdown being extended
Last updated 21st Jun 2021
Breckland District Council is urging residents to show their support for brave service personnel by taking part in Armed Forces Day celebrations this week.
Norfolk marks the day annually as part of its ongoing commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, and this year's events will be hosted by Breckland District Council in partnership with the military.
A flag has been raised outside Breckland Council offices, during a short ceremony that included a minute silence and a speech from the Chairman.
The Armed Forces have played a vital role throughout the pandemic, supporting communities around the country and helping with the vaccine rollout.
Cllr Sam Chapman-Allen, Breckland Council's Leader who also volunteers for the Ministry of Defence, said:
"I'm so pleased that we're able to hold our annual flag-raising ceremony and show our support for the Armed Forces as the ceremony provides an important symbolic focus for us to thank and celebrate our service personnel and their families.
"The invaluable work the armed forces do in our communities has been more visible than ever during the pandemic, and it means a lot to pause and take a moment to reflect on that.
"This is an important year for Breckland and the armed forces, as we're already looking at a number of ways we can potentially further increase our support for serving and former personnel and hope to be able to announce additional support over the coming months."
Meanwhile, in King's Lynn, flags have been raised in Tower Gardens and at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The Mayor of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, Cllr Harry Humphrey, said:
"I am honoured to observe British Armed Forces Day in this way as a mark of deep respect for our serving personnel and veterans.
"Our service personnel undertake their duties with pride and courage and I would like to thank them all for their service - for what they have done in the past, for what they are doing at present, and for what they are prepared to do in the future."
The Armed Forces Flag will be flying at the council's Dereham office to also mark Reserves Day (Wednesday 23 June), Veterans Day (Thursday 24 June) and Cadets Day (Friday 25 June).
Some physical events are being planned across the country, subject to Covid regulations.