A specially made flag was flown today to open the week ahead of the new Armed Forces Day.
The pennant was raised in Sutton Town Square by local cadets Aidan Dee and Stephen Newman, in the presence of Royal British Legion members and local cadet forces, to celebrate the newly created day, taking place on Saturday.
The event to honour Britain’s Armed Forces coincided with similar ones across the country, united by a national flag which was raised at The Historic Dockyard in Chatham.
The Mayor of Sutton, Councillor Margaret Court said: “Armed Forces Day is about recognising the commitment and sacrifice of our armed forces and celebrating the role they play in our national life. "Sutton Council remains committed to supporting our military personnel, veterans and cadet forces and I am extremely proud to see the flag raised on Sutton High Street today.”
Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, who attended the Flag-raising ceremony, welcomed the festivities as a “demonstration of local people’s support for our armed forces.”
In April this year Mr Brake spoke out for Gurkha settlement rights, presenting a petition signed by local residents which helped secure a historic victory for the British-Nepalese regiment.
Armed Forces Day at Chatham will include fly-pasts historic and current aircraft, including the Red Arrows, have-a-go activities with the Armed Forces and a veterans parade in the Dockyard.
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