[C]umbria County Council are flying the flag for our Armed Forces and Reserves to mark a celebration week recognising the contribution Britain’s military make to national life.
Wednesday 27 June is Reserves Day and Saturday 30 June is Armed Forces Day. The county council are showing their support by flying the Armed Forces Day flag at Kendal’s County Hall, The Courts and Cumbria House in Carlisle.
Reservists give up their spare time to serve in the Reserve Forces, balancing their civilian life with a military career to ensure that, should their country require them, they would be ready to serve as part of the military.
Armed Forces Day is a chance to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.
A host of events will be happening across the country as part of the celebrations with the national showpiece parade taking place in the historic North Wales seaside town of Llandudno in Conwy.
As well as marking the contribution of service personnel past and present, Armed Forces Day and Reserves Day is also aimed at raising public awareness of the military and the roles they undertake in Britain and around the world.
In 2013, Cumbria County Council signed the Armed Forces Community Covenant – a commitment by the council and its partner organisations to giving fair support to members of the armed forces, veterans and their families when it comes to issues such as housing, health care, education and child support.
As part of this commitment the council provides armed forces specific information and details about how to access support on its website to ensure service personnel and their families can be signposted to services better targeted to their needs.
Councillor Elizabeth Mallinson, Chairman of Cumbria County Council said: “Armed Forces Day is a great way to show our support for the servicemen and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from serving troops to service families, veterans and cadets. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the whole nation to show its support and appreciation for the contribution made by all those who have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces at home and abroad, safeguarding the nation’s interests.
“Reserves Day is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the important part that Reservists play in supporting the UK’s defence capability, making a valuable contribution to the nation over and above their day jobs. We have supported Reservists who work for the county council for a number of years and we have a number of policies which provide greater work flexibility to support their role. All our Reservists give up their time to serve the nation. They do an incredible job and it is an honour to celebrate the work they do.”
Jon Helm and Bruce Wilson work for Cumbria County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service and are also Army Reserves. Jon said: “Reservists play a vital role in our Armed Forces and make a significant contribution to operations in the UK and overseas.”
