 National Memorial Arboretum hosts special programme of events to commemorate Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day will be commemorated at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on Saturday 25th June 2011, with a full programme of special events, exhibitions, displays and musical performances.
Introduced in 2009, Armed Forces Day is a day for the nation to show its support and appreciation for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community. It is now commemorated annually at the Arboretum, which is part of The Royal British Legion family of charities.
Highlights of the programme include:
Service of Tribute to HM Armed Forces
A service of thanksgiving, led by the Arboretum’s Honorary Chaplain, will be held at 10.45 am at the Armed Forces Memorial, to the accompaniment of Burton Concert Band and Cannock Ex- Servicemen’s Club Male Voice Choir. The service will include the dedication of The Royal British Legion National Memorial Arboretum Branch standard and will also focus on the 90th Anniversary of The Royal British Legion.
Armed Forces Day Parade
All service personnel, past and present, are invited to take part in the parade at mid day, and are asked to gather at the shelter on Millennium Avenue from 11:45am.
Exhibitions and displays
Throughout the day visitors can see a number of static displays, including climbing wall, flight simulator and cadet camp, supported by Cannock TA Military Police and local cadet groups.
Representatives from The Royal British Legion, Royal Navy Careers, Ride to the Wall, local cadets, Combat Stress, Royal Mail, Award Productions, plus the Arboretum’s Gift Shop and Friends will be exhibiting in the Pavilion Marquee throughout the day, and will be on hand to give information and advice on their services.
Army Working Dogs display
Handlers from the Defence Animal Centre, Melton Mowbray, will put the animals through their paces to demonstrate the work they do, at 12.30 and 2.45pm.
Talks and book signings
Charlie Bagot Jewitt, the Arboretum’s chief executive, will give a brief talk and be available to sign copies of a new book entitled Lest We Forget: Remembrance and Commemoration, which he co-edited. The book contains a collection of 34 diverse articles around the topic of Remembrance and is endorsed by The Royal British Legion.
Author Isabel George will be also be signing and reading extracts from her books Beyond The Call Of Duty and The Dog That Saved My Life, which tell the inspiring and moving true stories of canine bravery in war.
Musical performances
The Cannock Highland Pipe Band will perform at the Armed Forces Memorial at 10am, while the Cannock Ex-Servicemen’s Club Male Voice Choir, will hold a concert in the Pavilion Marquee at 2pm, with some audience participation required.
The Arboretum is free to enter, but donations are appreciated. For further information visit www.thenma.org.uk or call 01283 792333.
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