The show must go on! Celebrate our armed forces in your own way

2020’s Armed Forces Weekend celebrations will look a lot different this year as the popular event was sadly cancelled due to COVID-19.

But the show must go on, and there are still plenty of ways people across North East Lincolnshire can celebrate our armed forces, both those serving and veterans, over the weekend of 26 to 28 June 2020.

Despite current circumstances, the Armed Forces Day Flag will once again be raised at the Remembrance Gate in Cleethorpes from Monday 22 June. The NHS flags will continue to fly.

This would usually mark the start of the celebration of our armed forces communities ahead of a very busy weekend in the resort.

Alex Baxter, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Lincolnshire and MD of the Armed Forces Major Events Team, said: “Although this year’s celebrations will be very different to previous years, where we welcome around 180,000 people to the hugely anticipated weekend, we still want the people of North East Lincolnshire to celebrate and remember both serving personnel and veterans in their own way. Although we may not be able to come together physically to mark the occasion this year, there are many ways that you can join in and celebrate at home.”

He added: “Our Armed Forces Day celebrations form one of the largest free events on the east coast. The weekend is always a great success enjoyed by many. But we hope to come back bigger and better next year, should circumstances allow it.”

To take a look back at photographs from previous Armed Forces weekends and for some ideas on how to celebrate, follow the Armed Forces Cleethorpes Facebook page on Saturday 27 June to mark Armed Forces Day.

Here are just a few ideas on how to celebrate:

• You can follow the national @armedforcesday Facebook page or Twitter @ArmedForcesDay throughout the day for a programme of online events, including Q&As with military personnel, performances from military bands, exclusive behind the scenes access and more

• Host a virtual celebration with friends and family via video chat, or even an Armed Forces themed quiz. Remember to share your photos with @armedforcesday by using #ArmedForcesDay on your posts.
• #SaluteOurForces is a simple way for people to pay tribute to the British Armed Forces community for their hard work, dedication and efforts to and keep us safe in the UK and across the globe. To join in, simply send a photo or video of yourself or your friends and colleagues saluting. Find out how to submit your images at www.armedforcesday.org.uk/get-involved/saluteourforces
• If you know someone in the Armed Forces community – whether they’re currently serving or a veteran, you could send them a message or give them a call to show your support for the work they do.
• You can join in and fly your own Armed Forces Day flag, bunting, hand-wavers, or banners. Search “Armed Forces Day Flag” on your preferred search engine to find your options.