News / Armed Forces Day
SHETLAND is being invited to demonstrate its support for the military in its midst by joining in the celebrations on Armed Forces Day on Saturday 19 June.
The action starts with a memorial service to the fallen military personnel at previous conflicts to be held at the Lerwick war memorial at Hillhead opposite the town hall.
This will be followed by a parade of regular and Territorial Army soldiers, army cadets and veterans led by the Lerwick Brass Band leaving Fort Charlotte at 1pm. The route will be along Harbour Street, The Esplanade to the Market Cross before returning along Commercial Street to Fort Charlotte.
At 1:30pm there will be ceremony to raise the Armed Forces flag at Fort Charlotte which will give 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) the opportunity to fire their guns from the fort.
SIC convener Sandy Cluness said Lerwick was proud to be supporting Armed Forces Day. “I never tire of meeting these amazing people, young and old who thoroughly deserve to have a special day in their honour,” he said.
“I urge local people to come along to Fort Charlotte on Saturday to enjoy the activities and meet our troops and veterans – we can all learn a lot from their courage and determination.”
Lieutenant Colonel Chris Huthwaite Commanding Officer of 105th Regiment added:
“It is a real honour that the Shetland Islands Council are supporting 105 Regiment Royal Artillery (Volunteers) as the British Army’s most northerly Territorial Army Detachment to commemorate Armed Forces Day on Saturday 19 June 2010.
“We owe our existence in Lerwick since 2006, not only to the council, but to the islands community who make up the entire strength of G Troop, many of whom support the regiment’s training schedule to prepare Royal Artillery soldiers to deploy on operations to Afghanistan.”
The Shetland Armed Forces Day has been planned in collaboration with both the local Veterans Associations and the Army Cadet Force.
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