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Armed Forces Flag Raising

Thursday 22nd June 2017

Guildhall Yard

Armed Forces Day is Saturday, 24 June, but the City of London kicked it all off with the annual Armed Forces Flag Raising two days early. A large audience had gathered when I arrived in Guildhall Yard. To the right a Guards band struck up with a march; to the left veterans with their colours stood at attention, ahead a company presented arms and, in the centre, The Lord Mayor, his Sheriffs, top brass representing all the services and our Honorary Chaplain gathered around the podium. The Armed Forces flag was raised over Guildhall; Canon David Parrott said a prayer; The Lord Mayor gave a speech pledging the City's support for the Armed Forces and a senior member of the top brass encouraged millennials to apply online to join the forces. The Lord Mayor then inspected the guard, the band struck up again and a Chinook did a fly past. The event was very well attended by Masters from many livery companies who took advantage of tea and coffee served in Guildhall.