MILITARY personnel gathered at a beach in Cornwall today as part of this year's Armed Forces Day celebrations.
A flag-raising ceremony took place on Gyllyngvase Beach on the morning of Monday, June 19 with representatives of the armed forces, Cornwall Council, the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, and local residents all present.
Speeches were made by representatives of both the armed forces and the town and county and the Armed Forces Day flag was raised and marked by a flyover of two F35 jets and a performance by Pendennis Brass Band.
In her speech delivered at the event, Falmouth mayor Kirstie Edwards said: "I'm honoured to join our armed forces, Lord Lieutenant, chairman of Cornwall Council, and other dignitaries in this national flag raising ceremony, and to show our support for our armed forces
"It's a great privilege to host Armed Forces Week and the flag-raising ceremony today. I'm also delighted to have been able to bring local primary school children whose parents are currently serving in the armed forces to this event and have them receive the armed forces flag on behalf of Falmouth.
"We hope you, and everyone attending the armed forces events this week, in the main streets and around the historic harbour, headland, castle, and our public spaces, will enjoy all the celebrations.
"Thank you and welcome."
After the mayor's opening speech, singer/songwriter Will Keating performed his song Cornwall My Home before Lord Lieutenant Edward Bolitho took to the podium and gave a speech. He said: "To be standing on a Cornish with the sun in our faces, listening to Will singing a song like that, it doesn't get much better than that, does it.
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"Cornwall, as that wonderful song expresses so well, is my home, and it's home to many of our armed forces community. But today it is my privilege as his majesty the Kings's representative in Cornwall to pay tribute to all the armed forces across the nation at this flag-raising ceremony which signals the start of a week in which we celebrate the work of all who have served and who are serving in the royal navy, the army, and the royal airforce.
"It also gives us the sobering opportunity, once again, to remember those who have given their lives and who have been wounded in recent conflicts.
"I am hugely delighted that Cornwall is hosting National Armed Forces Day this year and on behalf of everyone in Cornwall would like to say thank you to all the armed forces past and present for all that you do to keep us safe.
"We should always remember that it is the work of the armed forces that allow the rest of us to live our lives in peace and security.
"I would say to everyone of all generations in Cornwall and further afield, come to Falmouth this weekend, come and see Armed Forces Day that is being celebrated down here, come and show your support and appreciation, and come and enjoy what will be a wonderful weekend."
Cornwall Council Chairman Pauline Giles then took over the podium and greeted the crowd with the Cornish phrase for 'Good Morning.' She said: "Metten Da, everyone.
"I'm honoured to be here today as chairman of Cornwall Council, at the raising of the armed forces flag, to mark the start of the National Armed Forces Day celebration taking place here in Cornwall.
"Across Cornwall, England, and the rest of the UK and beyond, flag-raising ceremonies similar to this here on Gyllyngvase Beach are taking place, but I'm sure there's no more spectacular venue than this today.
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"Flags are being raised in public buildings, including county hall and other Cornwall Council buildings and town halls as well as the house of Parliament and parliamentary outposts overseas as a mark of respect and thanks to the service men and women, past and present, for what they have done and continue to do.
"It's worth remembering that the armed forces community is a large one, consisting of not only regular forces but also reserves cadets and veterans.
"As many as one in five of us in Cornwall are either in the military or related to someone who is, and as such, the armed forces and Cornwall have a close and historic relationship and I'm delighted we have the little troopers, the children of some of those military families here with us today."
Air Commodore Polly Perkins CBE said: "As a resident of Cornwall, I'm absolutely delighted to be the joint military commander of the armed forces day national event this year, hosted by Cornwall and held in Falmouth.
"On behalf of service personnel, their families, and veterans, some of whom we're very glad are represented here today, we're thankful of the support that has been shown to the armed forces, not only by the people of Cornwall but the wider South West region.
"As we enter Armed Forces Week, we look forward to meeting the public at the national event here in Falmouth and giving you a demonstration of the present armed forces capability and personnel.
"It's my pleasure to hand the Armed Forces Day flag to councillor Louis Gardner to raise and officially start the Armed Forces Day celebrations, not only here in Cornwall but across the United Kingdom.
After the flag was raised, two F35 jets flew over the beach and the ceremony finished with a performance from the Pendennis Brass Band.
You can watch the full ceremony below.
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