Armed Forces Day National Event, centred this year on spectacular Falmouth harbour in Cornwall, is a chance for the whole UK to show support for our Armed Forces community – from currently serving troops to service families, members of Reserve Forces, veterans and cadets.
Cornwall will play proud host to a breath-taking series of events as part of celebrations for Armed Forces Day on Saturday 24 June – including a military parade, marching bands, military displays, live music, fly pasts and fireworks.
It is expected to be among the most stirring and evocative programme of public shows ever staged in Cornwall - its backdrop the world’s third largest natural harbour, Henry Vlll’s sea fort Pendennis Castle, and breathtaking hardware on display over Falmouth Bay, and in a spectacular military village.
Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for the Economy, Louis Gardner said this will be a Cornwall-wide celebration. “This is a great honour for the whole of Cornwall – it is yet another chance for us to occupy the national spotlight as with the G7. It will celebrate our close ties with the military, but it will also be a shop window for Cornwall to show its community spirit, creativity, and business acumen.”
“I’d like to see every village and town, every shop and business, every individual and workplace, every school and college taking part and applauding our armed forces in the most imaginative and enthusiastic ways possible.”
Plans are already underway for a Youth programme including opportunities for Cornwall’s schools to compete in engineering challenges set by the three services, and for a conference that will bring together organisations that support the Services, exploring ways of working together to meet the needs of the armed forces community.
The call is also going out to businesses big and small to sponsor memorable elements of this unforgettable programme, and to associate their services and products with this one-off occasion.
Louis Gardner added, “This is an event like no other in a place like no other. I am a former member of the armed forces, so I am beyond proud to see Cornwall selected as host in 2023. With three regular bases, numerous reserve forces, cadets and supporting organisations, as well as a strong veteran community, Cornwall has enduring historic, current and future links with our forces.”
“There will be a huge amount of enthusiasm, respect and cheering across Cornwall as we count down to the displays in Falmouth in June, and I am sure that between us the military and Cornwall will put on an astonishing show.”
