The Armed Forces flag is flying over the City of London Corporation’s headquarters – to mark a national celebration of the UK’s servicemen and women.
The flag was raised at Guildhall during a week of events across the country ahead of Armed Forces Day on Saturday (June 26), which this year includes a focus on the role played by services personnel during the COVID-19 crisis.
A ceremony at Guildhall included speeches from Lord Mayor William Russell and Major General Celia Harvey, the Army’s Deputy Commander, Land Forces.
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Due to continuing Covid restrictions, a limited number of City Corporation Members attended in person while other Members and invited guests watched the ceremony online.
Lord Mayor of the City of London William Russell said: “It was a great pleasure to once again celebrate the tireless work of the men and women of our Armed Forces, wherever they’re serving in the UK or around the world.
“In particular, the vital role they’ve played during the pandemic – which has amounted to the biggest ever homeland military operation in peacetime – is to be commended.
“Whether it’s delivering vaccine supplies, deploying to community testing sites, helping set up Nightingale Hospitals or supporting our NHS staff on the frontline of the pandemic, their efforts are hugely appreciated.”
Invited guests watching the live stream of the event included City Corporation Members and representatives from the City’s Livery Companies and the three Armed Forces.
The ceremony also included a prayer read by Rev Cannon David Parrott, Guild Vicar of St Lawrence Jewry – the official church of the Lord Mayor of London and the City of London Corporation.
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