Flags are raised to mark Armed Forces Day

The Deputy Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, raises the flag for Armed Forces Day

The borough came together to mark the annual Armed Forces Day with a series of special flag raising events across local communities.

Services to mark the special occasion and, to say thanks to the men and women who serve in the Armed Forces, were held in Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale and the flags have been raised at other locations across the borough.

Soldiers, veterans, dependants, MPs, councillors, and dignitaries turned out to pay tribute to past and present members of the Armed Forces family.

The Deputy Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Billy Sheerin, attended the Rochdale service and hoisted the specially designed flag, which will fly outside the Town Hall.

Earlier the popular veterans’ breakfast club was packed out with over 100 fry ups plated up to past and present members of the Armed Forces community.

Councillor Janet Emsley, the council’s lead member for the Armed Forces, said: “Armed Forces Day is always a moving moment for the borough of Rochdale and once again we marked it in style. It was wonderful to see so many past and present members of the Armed Forces community in attendance. We are rightly proud of our Armed Forces community and this day is about thanking those, past and present, for their dedicated service. Lest we forget.”

Peter Clegg, chairman of the Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “The sacrifice made by so many is never forgotten. It is always an emotional moment to see the flag being raised to the backdrop of Rochdale Town Hall. The council is a wonderful ambassador for our Armed Forces community and, by working together, we ensure serving members past and present are never forgotten. Thanks to everyone who attended.”

The council signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant in 2012, aimed at encouraging communities to support services that promote and encourage activities that help integrate armed forces personnel back into civilian life.