Armed Forces Day today aims to celebrate the work of British servicemen and women but there are fears it could be overshadowed this year by cutbacks.
Sky News has obtained figures which show there will be compulsory redundancies across the forces - and four Colonels are applying for every early retirement place offered.
Edinburgh is the official host city for this year's Armed Forces Day, where up to 100,000 people are expected to attend including the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The day's events will kick off when 90 motorcyclists, from the Royal British Legion Scotland Riders Branch, drive down the Royal Mile, to celebrate the Legion's 90th anniversary.
The highlight of the day will be a parade of 2,500 military personnel, veterans and cadets, march down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle's Esplanade to Holyrood Park.
Charles and Camilla, known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they visit Scotland, are to watch the parade, which will end with a short ceremony of thanks, where they will meet veterans and service personnel.
It will be followed by an afternoon of entertainment including flypasts by military aircraft, Highland dancing, and music.
The day's celebrations will end with a Beating Retreat, a long-standing military tradition which now marks the end of a ceremonial occasion, and a Typhoon and Tornado flypast from RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth .
At Holyrood Park, bagpipe rockers the Red Hot Chilli Pipers are set to top the bill on the main stage, and will be joined the Royal British Legion Pipe Band.
A moment of silence will be held at The Falklands Memorial Garden in Princes Street Gardens, as members of the South Atlantic Medal Association lay a wreath and remember their comrades who did not return, and those who were injured.
This will be followed by a reading of The Falklands Prayer.
The weekend-long programme of events celebrating the Armed Forces started on Friday when thousands of visitors stepped on board the Royal Navy ship HMS Portland, which will be berthed at Edinburgh's Leith Docks until Sunday.
The Red Arrows aerial display team gave their first full performance in the city for 23 years, wowing crowds with a display over the Firth of Forth.
Squadron Leader Ben Murphy said being involved in the events was "massively important".
He said: "Most of us have come from operational backgrounds having served in Afghanistan and Iraq and other theatres.
"For us to be able to come up here and participate in these types of events is a massive honour. It's important, I think, to recognise the sacrifices all those service people have made and if we can be a part of that then we're extremely proud."
Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: "Armed Forces Day provides a unique opportunity for us all to pay thanks to the men and women who serve this country with such distinction.
"I would especially like to thank the City of Edinburgh for hosting this national event. The city has a long and proud military history, and provides the perfect setting for us all to say thank you to our Armed Forces."
General Sir David Richards said: "As the Chief of the Defence Staff, I see at first hand the jobs that the men and women of the Armed Forces do, and I can assure you that the recognition and thanks given by the people in communities such as yours on Armed Forces Day goes a long way to keep morale at a high level."
Source: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/thousands-celebrate-armed-forces-day-025742687.html
No comments:
Post a Comment