Soldiers fly flag for Armed Forces Day (From Herald Series)

Soldiers fly flag for Armed Forces Day

10:00am Tuesday 26th June 2012 in News

SOLDIERS from Dalton Barracks in Abingdon are flying the flag for Armed Forces Day.

The flag raised yesterday was one of hundreds hoisted across the country to encourage people to show their support on Saturday, when Armed Forces Day will be celebrated across the country.

A bugler from 7 Rifles performed in the market square while five soldiers from the barracks climbed to the roof of the County Hall Museum to raise the flag, which will fly for a week.

Lieutenant Corporal Graham Torrie, pictured raising the flag as Regimental Sergeant Major David Wakefield salutes, said: “We are very grateful to the people of Abingdon for all the support they have shown us.

“To have such a good relationship with the local area is very important to us.”

The soldiers were joined by chairman of Vale of White Horse District Council Alison Thomson, town mayor Monica Lovatt and station commander of Dalton Barracks Colonel Ed Newman.

Ms Thomson said: “We are proud to be flying the flag, to honour and commemorate the outstanding bravery of our men and women of the armed forces.

“They put their lives at risk for our safety, which is something we must never forget.”