The Armed Forces Day flags have now been raised across the borough in two separate ceremonies to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week.
The Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire, Veterans, Cabinet members and residents were in attendance at both events held at Grimsby Town Hall and Cleethorpes Memorial Gate.
Danny Flemming played bagpipes at both events to commemorate the occasion with Standard Bearers also in attendance at Cleethorpes Memorial Gate representing all aspects of the Armed Forces.
In attendance at the Grimsby service was Steve Sampher who served in the army for 27 years and now helps run the veteran charity NEL4Heoroes. “Armed Forces is all about celebrating what these people have done and bringing the public together, it’s great.”
He added: “NEL4Heroes helps the Armed Forces Community here in North East Lincolnshire at a grassroots level. We tell them about the different pathways where they can get help and give peer to peer support to health both physical and mental health.
“We’re also there for the families of the veterans too should they need our help.”
Left, Steve Sampher, NEL4Heores and right Danny Flemming
Mayor Janet Goodwin was also present at the Grimsby service saying: “These events instil pride in this borough and allow people to better understand the sacrifices the Armed Forces have made over the years.
“It was an absolute honour to be here for the service and Armed Forces Week was something I had been looking forward to since being made Mayor.”
Taking part in the Cleethorpes ceremony were a number of former WRAF members. Allison Calthorpe, Engineer and Technician, served in the WRAF for 10 years and was a standard bearer during the ceremony.
She said: “It was perfect for me and I’m incredibly proud to be part of this and to be here. This is my true family and there is a brilliant sense of comradery between us all, we always pick each other up.”
Linda Hamill served in the Royal Auxiliary RAF Regiment and spent a total of 6 years in the WRAF. “These events are so important and exemplify the respect for Armed Forces and for what they do, especially the ladies who went before us.”
She added: “I’m most looking forward to the parade over the weekend and watching everyone walking past will be great.”
For all the latest information on Cleethorpes Armed Forces, visit Armed Forces Major Events Team | Cleethorpes | North East Lincolnshire
Main image caption: From left, Linda Hamill, Allison Calthorpe and Carin Pollexfen-Smith
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