Armed Forces celebrations in Warwickshire began this week with the hoisting of the Armed Forces Day flag at 10am on Monday 23 June at Shire Hall, Warwick, ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday 28 June.

Armed Forces Day is an annual national event that enables communities to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces, including currently serving troops, service families, reservists, veterans and cadets. 

A parade was held at Shire Hall and attended by Tim Cox, Lord Lieutenant for Warwickshire, members of Warwickshire County Council, along with veterans and members of the Coventry, Solihull, Warwickshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership. 

Veterans raise Armed Forces Day flag at Shire Hall ahead of weekend celebrations in Warwickshire

His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for the County of Warwickshire, Tim Cox, said: "The flag raising ceremony is a special occasion to honour the sacrifices our Armed Forces have made, and continue to make, on our behalf.

"This year, which marks the 80th anniversary of both VE Day and VJ Day, is a landmark year. 

"Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to reflect and pay respect every year to the outstanding contribution our Armed Forces community makes to keeping our country safe." 

The week is rounded off with a free Armed Forces Celebration Day at Leamington Pump Rooms on Saturday 28 June, from 11am-3pm with free food and activities for children, free Indian vegetarian food, military enactors and a military village, music and an opportunity to discuss careers in the armed forces. 

There will also be a fly past from an Avro Lancaster Bomber from the Second World War. 

Cllr Edward Harris, Chairman of Warwickshire County Council and Chair of the Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, said: "We join local authorities across the country in raising the flag at the beginning of Armed Forces Week as a visible demonstration of both our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant and our support for the whole of the armed forces community; regulars, reserves, veterans and their families. 

 "We are continuing to work hard with our partners to address barriers faced by armed forces personnel and their families, serving and non-serving and creating opportunities within civilian communities for them." 

For information on support for the Armed Forces community in Warwickshire, visit here.