The Armed Forces flag has been raised on East Lothian Council’s headquarters in Haddington to mark the start of Armed Forces Week 2022 on 20 June. The week concludes on Armed Forces Day on 25 June.
Armed Forces Week is an opportunity for us to recognise their Service... express our gratitude for their dedication on our behalf, and to recognise the significant roles that our veterans play within East Lothian
Armed Forces Week is the nation’s chance to celebrate the work of service personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets and their families and friends. The flag will fly from John Muir House as part of the council’s commitment to recognising the work and dedication of Armed Services personnel and veterans.
East Lothian Provost Councillor John McMillan and Depute Lord Lieutenant Patrick Gemmell were present to witness the flag raising along with East Lothian Council Chief Executive Monica Patterson, Tom Logan of the East Lothian Armed Forces & Veteran’s Breakfast Club and Iain Maddox from the Royal British Legion.
East Lothian Provost, Councillor John McMillan, said: “Most of us are fortunate to never know war or conflict. Our exposure comes from TV and films, or from the awful scenes that we see unfold in other countries in news coverage.
“Our Armed Forces Personnel, though, know first-hand what this it means to serve your country, travelling to regions and working with partners and within communities to restore peace and stability. Many never fully leave behind what they have been through and carry those experiences with them daily, often physically, when they transition to civilian life.
“Armed Forces Week is an opportunity for us to recognise their Service. It is a chance for us to express our gratitude for their dedication on our behalf, and to recognise the significant roles that our veterans play within East Lothian sharing their skills and talents to make a positive contribution to our county.”
Vice Lord-Lieutenant of East Lothian Patrick Gammell said: “Armed Forces Week gives us the opportunity to recognise the crucial contribution made to all our lives by Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, especially in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year and at this time of global uncertainty. It’s also an opportunity to recognise the increasingly important role played by the Reservists and their civilian employers.
“There are clear benefits to all concerned with the Armed Forces being able to access skills learned in the civilian world, not least in technology, while the Reservists and their employers benefit from the skills learned with the Armed Forces such as reliability, teamwork and focus.”
Find out more about our support for the Armed Forces Community