Dumfries holds Armed Forces flag-raising ceremony at Midsteeple

Dumfries held its Armed Forces flag-raising ceremony yesterday at the Midsteeple and is looking forward to a parade on Saturday.

Provost Tracey Little made a short address and the Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Dumfries, John Henderson, gave a vote of thanks to all the veterans and current Armed Forces personnel gathered there.

Similar ceremonies were also held at Sanquhar Tollbooth, outside Moffat Town Hall, Market Hill at Castle Douglas, Dalbeattie’s Colliston Park and Castle Square in Stranraer.

Flags were also raised at Annan and Langholm Town Halls and will be flown until Monday.

The annual Armed Forces Day national campaign provides the public with the opportunity to show their support for servicemen and women, past and present.

In Dumfries it will culminate in a town centre parade on Saturday from 11.40am until 12.30pm, led by members of Dumfries town and pipe bands, followed by representatives of the region’s retired and serving Armed Forces personnel and by members of local cadet units.

Financial support has been granted for the event by Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Councillor Archie Dryburgh will be the master of ceremonies, while the council’s civic head, Councillor Stephen Thompson, will make an address. In attendance will also be the President of Legion Scotland, Major William Turner and the Lord Lieutenant of Dumfries, Fiona Armstrong, who will inspect the front rank of the Royal British Legion Scotland representatives.

Councillor Thompson said: “Armed Forces Day is our opportunity to show our appreciation for those who have served and who continue to serve in our Armed Forces.

“In Dumfries and Galloway our Armed Forces are very well supported by people from across the length and breadth of the region and I invite you all to join us on the day to thank them.

“Our council has a proud record of supporting our Armed Forces and it is my privilege and honour to participate in this event.”

Councillor Linda Dorwood, the deputy civic head, added: “This year’s Armed Forces Day is particularly significant since it falls in the same year as the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War.

“It’s important to us that Dumfries and Galloway veterans and ex-service personnel who fought in that conflict will be taking part so that people across the region can show their appreciation for the efforts of our Armed Forces in this conflict; and also show our respect for all those residents, past and present, who put their lives on the line for their
country.”