Dundee Celebrates Armed Forces Day
Celebrations were held in Dundee today to mark this year's Armed Forces Day.
Celebrations were held in Dundee today to mark this year's Armed Forces Day.
Service personnel, veterans, and cadets paraded from Dundee High School down Reform Street to the City Square.
During the day there were community performances, stalls, and military displays for the people of Dundee to show their support to the Armed Forces Community.
Brigadier Paul Harkness MBE, Commander of 51st Infantry Brigade said: "On behalf of all Army personnel serving in Scotland I would like to thank the people of Dundee for their ongoing support to both our serving and veterans communities.
"For those of us who are serving it is an honour to be able to defend and protect the freedoms that we enjoy as a country and provide the peace and security that underwrites our way of life.
"Today, soldiers based in Scotland are deployed around the world; from the Falkland Islands to Africa, in Cyprus as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force and across the Middle East, they serve with pride and in the sure knowledge that they do so with your support.
"Having the country's support makes serving away from home in areas affected by trouble that much easier to endure. Thank you for all that you do to support those who have dedicated their life to defend you."
The aim of AFD, which is now celebrating its seventh year, is to enable the public to demonstrate their support and appreciation for all those who serve and have served in HM Armed Forces.
It provides an opportunity to highlight the contribution of the Armed Forces (Service personnel, Reservists, and the wider Armed Forces family of veterans, cadets and families) to the nation, past and present.
Lord Provost Bob Duncan said: "This has become a traditional event which is always enjoyed by both the citizens of Dundee and the personnel taking part.
"It really shows the pride we have for the men and women who currently serve their country, veterans who have served, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"I am always pleased to see the show of local support on Armed Forces Day in Dundee."
Armed Forces Day was the culmination of a week of celebrations which started on Monday 22nd June with the raising of the Armed Forces Day flag at locations across the UK; and Reserves Day on 24th June, when thousands of men and women who make up the Reserve Forces put on their uniforms to go to their civilian work place.
The city of Guildford hosted the AFD 2015 national event and, as in previous years, was complemented by hundreds of community-led events across the UK.