Dream debut for Armed Forces Day

Jun 29 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

FLAGS were raised and cheers erupted as celebrations for the UK’s first Armed Forces Day were held across the North this weekend.

A bumper programme of parades, bands and ceremonies kicked off for the event, held to show support for our serving troops.

From Durham to Newcastle and Alnwick to Hartlepool, folk were out in their hundreds.

In Alnwick, Northumberland, the town centre came alive to the sound of military drums as troops paraded through the historic marketplace. The Duke of Northumberland took the salute as marchers filed past.

And at the MetroCentre in Gateshead, shoppers were treated to a full concert of military music from 101 Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Veterans minister and Durham North MP Kevan Jones said: “I am grateful to the people who have organised events in the run-up to Armed Forces Day. It will mean a great deal, particularly to those serving this country today and also the thousands of veterans to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude.”

“It is vital for them to know they have the support of their fellow citizens for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make.”

Sergeant Dave Allen, of the 5th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was in South Shields, South Tyneside, where his regiment organised a special biker rally. Crowds arrived to see bikers displaying Harley Davidson monster machines in the town’s Bents Park.

In Durham at the Light Infantry Museum there was a display of military vehicles as well as character re-enactors dressed in traditional 1940s garb.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown was among those leading tributes to our troops. The central event of Saturday was at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent, where 30,000 people turned out including Mr Brown and his wife Sarah, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the head of the Armed Forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and Mr Jones.

Mr Brown said: “The courage of our forces in Afghanistan and the courage shown by the veterans here today and the people who served in our Armed Forces in so many different ways is something of which we are extremely proud.”

Armed Forces Day was known as Veterans’ Day but was changed to enhance its profile.