Basingstoke to Mark Start of Armed Forces Week with Flag-Raising Ceremony

Armed Forces Week will begin with a special flag-raising ceremony on Monday, June 23, at 10am outside the Civic Offices in Basingstoke.

The event will be led by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Colin Phillimore, and welcomes members of the armed forces community — including cadets, serving personnel, veterans — and local residents.

Organised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in partnership with the Basingstoke and Overton branch of the Royal British Legion, the ceremony will include a one-minute silence and an address by Padre Charles Lewis, chaplain to the Thames Valley Wing of the Air Cadet Organisation.

As part of the ceremony, the Armed Forces Day flag will be raised by the mayor and will remain flying throughout the week in the lead-up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 28.

The week offers a chance for the public to show their appreciation for the armed forces community and everything they do. It also includes Reserves Day on Wednesday, June 25, which recognises those who balance everyday civilian life with military service.

Cllr Phillimore said “”Showing support for the armed forces provides a much-valued morale boost for serving personnel, veterans, reservists and cadets and demonstrates our gratitude for the sacrifices that they and their families continue to make for us all. Please do join us to publicly thank them on Monday, June 23 at the Civic Offices.”