Type=image;ImageID=4658;ImageClass=left;ImageTitle=The flag flying outside the Civic Centre;TitleClass=strong;
Armed Forces Day takes place on Saturday (28 June, 2014), giving people across the nation an opportunity to pay tribute to serving troops, veterans, cadets and their families.
In Wolverhampton, there will be a parade through the city centre of regular, reserve, veteran and cadet forces led by the Pipe Band of the West Midlands Fire Service. It will march from Wulfruna Street at 12.40pm and make its way to St Peter's Square via Princes Square, Lichfield Street, Queen Square and Exchange Street.
Once at St Peter's Square, an outdoor drumhead service - the traditional service attended by troops in the field - will take place. To enable the parade to take place, Wulfruna Street will be closed to all traffic from 12pm to approximately 12.55pm on Saturday, and there will be minor alterations to bus services along the parade route.
In preparation for Saturday's parade, the Mayor of Wolverhampton Councillor Mike Heap this morning (Monday 23 June) joined civic dignitaries and military representatives past, present and future to raise the Armed Forces Day flag outside the Civic Centre.
Meanwhile, more than 250 soldiers from The Mercian Regiment are marching through the centre of Wolverhampton this afternoon to mark their return from operations in Afghanistan.
Hundreds of local people are expected to turn out to welcome them home after a gruelling and challenging 9 month tour and speaking before the parade, Captain Matt Odell, Adjutant 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the soldiers home, who have all worked extremely hard during the past 9 months.
"However, this immense success on operations has come with a price, and our thoughts are with the family and friends of WO2 Ian Fisher who was tragically killed in action whilst serving with A Company."
Attending the parades today and on Saturday are just one way in which the local community can show their support for the Armed Forces.
Wolverhampton has signed up to the Armed Forces Community Covenant, which aims to make organisations across the city work together to make it easier for members of the Armed Forces community to integrate into civilian life.
The city council has launched dedicated pages on its website offering information for members of the Armed Forces community and about how local organisations can bid for funding to stage special events or projects which support the Armed Forces in some way. To find out more, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=4568;Title=Help for the Armed Forces community;.
- released: Monday 23 June, 2014