Swansea is doing more than ever to honour those who have served in Britain’s armed forces – and June 28 brings another big chance for the public to show their support.
Armed Forces Day will be celebrated on June 28 with a fun day, march and church service in the city centre.
The event is being organised by armed forces veterans with the support of Swansea Council, serving military and other local groups and organisations.
On June 23, the council will be raising the Armed Forces Day flag at the Guildhall rotunda and on Armed Forces Day itself Guildhall will be lit up in red, white and blue to salute those who have served.
And the following weekend – July 5 and 6 – veterans, their families and service-related charities will be taking pride of place in the Veteran’s Village at the Wales Airshow.
Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “Swansea Council is a proud supporter of our armed services and the veteran community. This year the nation is commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, so the events will be very special occasions.
“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to say thank you to our veterans, those who currently serve and all their families for their commitment and resilience.
“The celebrations are being organised by the military veterans themselves, based on what they want to see on the day. The council is backing them with as much support as they need.
“The people of Swansea have a long history of supporting the military and always turn out in force for events like Remembrance, the recent VE Day commemorations and HMS Cambria’s city centre Freedom March earlier this year.
“I’ve no doubt the city centre will be busy for Armed Forces Day as well at the airshow when special tributes will be paid to our military and our veterans.”
Armed Forces Day on June 28 will feature a forces’ fun day between noon and 4pm at St David’s Place, featuring information stalls as well as music and entertainment from a variety of guests on a specially-built stage
At 10am there will be a service at Christchurch. This will be followed by an armed forces march through the city centre to St David’s Place. The salute will be taken in Oxford Street opposite the main Swansea Market entrance.
The events are being organised in association with the West Cross-based 223 Transport Squadron 157 (Welsh) Regiment of The Royal Logistic Corps.
Sponsorship is being provided by the supermarket retailer Tesco.
The parade will be led by the RLC Corps of Drums and all associations, veterans’ groups and military groups have been invited to take part.
The Lord Lieutenant will to take the salute alongside Lord Mayor Cllr Cheryl Philpott, the High Sheriff, Joint Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Andrea Lewis, Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and equalities Cllr Elliott King and the council’s Armed Forces Champion Cllr Wendy Lewis.
Cllr Wendy Lewis said: “Swansea Council has always stood side-by-side with the Armed Forces, supporting veterans, reservists and those currently serving and their families. This celebration day is important and our support for this veteran-led day reflects our commitment to them as a community and as a council all year-round.”
Cllr King added: “The council proudly supports those who serve. It’s an honour to be able to celebrate the essential work carried out now and in the past by the nation’s service personnel.
“They defend our country and communities; they bring great credit to the country. The council will continue to salute them and acknowledge their valuable contribution.”
