Region Celebrates Armed Forces Day 2023

Dumfries and Galloway Council is celebrating Armed Forces Day on Saturday 24 June. Events are being held as part of the annual Armed Forces Day national campaign to provide everyone with the opportunity to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces, past and present, including serving troops, their families, Reservists, Veterans and Cadets.

To start the week leading up to Armed Forces Day, flag raising events are taking place across our region on Monday 19 June to show appreciation for the work of the Armed Forces. At the Midsteeple in Dumfries, Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE – the council’s Armed Forces Champion – is Master of Ceremonies. Hosting Councillor Maureen Johnstone, Provost of Dumfries who will make a short address, and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Dumfries, Ms Fiona Armstrong who will do a vote of thanks, flags are being raised and flown until Monday 26 June. In addition to Dumfries, flags will be flown at Annan Town Hall, Market Hill in Castle Douglas, Moffat Town Hall, Castle Square in Stranraer, Colliston Park in Dalbeattie, Sanquhar Tolbooth, and Langholm Town Hall.

An Armed Forces Day Parade will take place from 11.40am until 12.30pm on Saturday, 24 June in Dumfries Town Centre. The parade will be led by members of Dumfries and Annan Town Bands, followed by representatives of our retired and serving Armed Forces personnel and by members of our local cadet units.

Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE will be the Master of Ceremonies, the Council’s Convener Malcolm Johnstone will make an address, and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dumfries Ms Fiona Armstrong will inspect the front rank of the Royal British Legion Scotland representatives.

Councillor Malcolm Johnstone, Convener, Dumfries and Galloway Council, said: “Armed Forces Day is our opportunity to show our appreciation for those that have served and who continue to serve in our Armed Forces. In Dumfries and Galloway, our Armed Forces are very well supported by people from across the length and breadth of the region. A recent testament to this was when many people lined the streets of Dumfries Town Centre to watch as the Royal Regiment of Scotland exercised their Freedom of Dumfries and Galloway by way of a parade on Friday, 9 June. Reflecting on the pride the soldiers inspired, this further enhances the strong support for the Armed Forces across our region.

“I invite you all to join us on Saturday, 24 June, as we mark Armed Forces Day 2023 to thank them. Our Council has a proud record of supporting our Armed Forces and it is my privilege and honour to participate in the event.”

Councillor Archie Dryburgh MBE, Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: “For the last 14 years, all but one owing to pandemic, we have been parading in Dumfries High Street to show our support to our Armed Forces. I am pleased to say that we will be parading again this year, and I am asking all Veterans, Reserves, Cadets and Serving Personnel to come along and mark the occasion with us. I would also like to ask the public to once again come out and show their approval for our Armed Forces Family.”

ENDS