RNA & RBL attend the Armed Forces Day flag-raising ceremony at Huntingdon

On Friday 27th June 2014, members of Huntingdon & District Branch attended the annual flag-raising ceremony for Armed Forces Day at Huntingdonshire District Council (HDC) headquarters. The annual event was hosted by the Chairman of HDC, Cllr Alan Mackender-Lawrence with the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Colonel Derek Bristow, and the Commander, 423rd Air Base Group, Colonel Stephen Sweeney as guest of honour. Shipmates Bill Small, Karl Webb, and Graham Murray from Huntingdon & District Branch were delighted to represent the Royal Naval Association.

The Royal British Legion turned out in style, eight RBL Standards (in addition to the Huntingdon & District Branch Standard) were paraded for the flag-raising event.

Once everyone had taken up their places, the Chair of HDC welcomed all attendees. Colonel Derek Bristow, as Deputy Lieutenant for Cambridgeshire, gave us messages of support from the Lord Lieutenant and HM The Queen. Colonel Stephen Sweeney also gave a speech about the close collaboration between the US and UK Armed Forces and the mutual support between our countries.

After the speeches, it was time for the Revd Andrew Milton (who is also the Padre for RNA Huntingdon & District Branch), to Bless the AFD flag.

The next part of the ceremony was the hoisting of the flag, this was carried out by the Chair of HDC and Colonel Bristow.

With the flag hoisted in from of the Council offices, the Last Post was sounded by Lieutenant John Shaw, Cambridgeshire ACF Corp of Drums, Standard Bearers dipped Standards in the traditional salute.

After a minutes silence, Reveille was called to mark the end of the ceremony, Standards were carried and all personnel were dismissed. On completion, the Chair of HDC invited all participants to the Civic Suite for refreshments.

Gallery

To see more images of the flag-raising ceremony, click on the first thumbnail below and scroll through the images.