East Devon honours Armed Forces Day

East Devon District Council is flying the flag for the fifth annual Armed Forces Day following a flag raising ceremony on Monday (24 June).

A special Armed Forces Day flag will fly at EDDC’s headquarters in Sidmouth, along with sites all around the nation.

The Chairman of the Council, Councillor Graham Godbeer, raised the flag in a ceremony at Knowle, watched by EDDC’s Vice Chairman Christine Drew, Council Leader Paul Diviani, other Council Members and representatives of the Royal British Legion, including Standard Bearer John Hayes.

Armed Forces Day
The flag will fly until after Armed Forces Day on Saturday 29 June – a day when the whole nation is invited to show support for the military, both servicing and retired, at home and abroad.

Councillor Godbeer said: “We have commemorated those who have fallen in conflicts for over 90 years, but it is only since 2009 that we in the UK have honoured those who presently serve in our Armed Forces, those who are Veterans and those too young to serve but who take part in Armed Forces activities – namely our Cadets.

“We very much hope that all those who serve in whatever theatre of conflict are returned home speedily and safely after their work is done. We especially remember those who return wounded who need our support now and in the time to come.

“We thank them all for their loyalty, their devotion to duty and their service to our country – and we wish them well”.