Armed Forces Day marked in Chelmsford with flag raising
Chelmsford City Council raised the Armed Forces Day flag on Monday 22 June in support of the Armed Forces community.
Armed Forces Day takes place annually on the last Saturday in June – this year on 27 June – and honours Britain’s Armed Forces past, present and future, including serving personnel, veterans, cadets and service families. It also marks the culmination of a week of celebrations, when the public show their support and appreciation for the Armed Forces community.
The council joins local authorities across the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man in marking the occasion.
The Armed Forces Day flag will fly over the Civic Centre until Sunday 28 June.
Ceremony led by Chelmsford Mayor
The Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Lynne Foster, led the flag-raising ceremony, attended by her Chaplain, Reverend Canon Ivor Moody, who also read a prayer.
The Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Lynne Foster, speaking at the flag-raising ceremony for Armed Forces Day 2026.
The Mayor shared a personal reflection of her respect and admiration for the Armed Forces:
““We owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. The British Army, the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. They are the ultimate protectors of our peace and security, and indeed our whole way of life, in defending the United Kingdom and many other countries around the world, on our behalf.
Mayor of Chelmsford, Councillor Lynne Foster
"On a personal note, my husband and I lived abroad for some years, both in the Caribbean and Bangladesh. We were there when hurricanes and volcanic eruptions struck the Windward Islands, and when flooding brought disruption and the risk of acute famine to parts of Bangladesh. We were very aware and very proud of the work of our forces in delivering vital emergency supplies, in rescue and rehabilitation work and in repairing vital infrastructure. Forces have a well-deserved reputation for prompt and effective support in difficult and dangerous situations.
"We celebrate our present serving troops, veterans – whose service we will never forget – cadets, and families of all our service personnel. Each one of our soldiers, sailors and airmen is also a wife, husband, father or mother, a son or a daughter, and we recognize the enormous contribution and support that families give to their loved ones in the Armed Forces, through good times and bad.”
Residents can find out how to get involved in supporting Armed Forces Day by visiting: www.armedforcesday.org.uk/get-involved
