Hambleton District Council has marked the start of National Armed Forces Day celebrations today.
Council leader, Councillor Mark Robson and chief executive, Dr Justin Ives, raised the special flag at the Civic Centre in Northallerton.
It was a radical departure from the usual celebrations – the coronavirus pandemic meant that the veterans, civic dignitaries, RAF Leeming personnel, Northallerton Air and Army Cadets and councillors could not be present.
“Despite the pandemic we felt it is massively important that our Armed Forces past and present are celebrated,” said Council Chairman, Councillor Kevin Hardisty.
“We wanted to show our support and gratitude for the huge personal sacrifices they have made and continue to make for our country.”
And Group Captain Blythe Crawford OBE, Station Commander, RAF Leeming, added: “We are terribly sad that the majority of events surrounding Armed Forces Day have been cancelled this year, especially since the focus is on Yorkshire.
“We hope that we will be able to conduct a full event in Yorkshire next year. In the meantime, I would like to thank Hambleton District Council for their determined efforts to ensure the day is marked as well as it can be in the current circumstances.
“We thank you for thinking of us at this difficult time, and hope that we can continue to support the local community in the ways that we have prior to and during, the current crisis.”
The council is paying tribute through its social media accounts this weekend when a short montage of today’s ceremony and a poem dedicated to the services read by Councillor Bridget Fortune will be posted.
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