Armed Forces Day: Lord Provost opens week of celebrations of our military

Jun 23 2011 By Ben Spencer

Armed Forces Day

A WEEK of celebrations for Britain's armed forces was launched with a flag-raising ceremony at the cenotaph in George Square on Monday.

The Armed Forces Day 2011 event was led by Lord Provost Bob Winter and military personnel.

The ceremony signalled the start of a week of celebrations in Glasgow and across the UK to draw attention to the outstanding contribution and service to the nation of serving and reserve forces, cadets and veterans.

The highlight will see a tri-service military parade through the city centre at 2.15pm on Sunday, with static and mobile displays and a civic reception.

Music will be provided by the band from the Royal Regiment of Scotland and there will be a fly-past of Tornado GR4 jets from RAF Lossiemouth.

The Lord Provost praised Glasgow's "great bond with its armed forces".

Mr Winter added: "I would once again invite Glaswegians to turn up in force, as they always do, and pay their respects.

"Ours was the first local authority in Scotland to hold an Armed Forces Day and we're delighted that we will be welcoming our soldiers back to George Square. We owe them a huge debt for the freedom and democracy we enjoy." Lieutenant Colonel Simon Higgens MBE RE, Commanding Officer Glasgow and Strathclyde Universities' Officers Training Corps, will lead the military contingent in Glasgow.

He said: "Glasgow provides a significant element of the UK's regular and reserve forces and formulates a large part of the contribution it makes to the nation's defence."