Southend-on-Sea will gather to celebrate Armed Forces Day this Saturday 24 June and pay tribute to service personnel past, present and future as the annual tradition of a parade through the city.
Organised by Southend-on-Sea City Council, the procession of serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and cadets will start from underneath the railway bridge in the High Street at 10.30am, as they march to Victoria Circus.
At 10.45am the parade arrives at Victoria Circus for an open-air public service of thanksgiving followed by gunfire at 11.00am and 2 minutes silence. The Southend Band will play a short concert at the conclusion of the service.
The Worshipful The Mayor of Southend-on-Sea, Cllr Stephen Habermel, said: “I am delighted to see this important event return so that we can all show our support to the men and women who make up our Armed Forces community, from troops currently serving, to service families, veterans and cadets.
Southend has a long and proud military history, with Shoebury Garrison playing an important role in both world wars and fishing boats from Leigh aiding the Dunkirk rescue effort.
“I hope as many people as possible come into our City Centre for the service, to do Southend proud and pay respect to the brave men and women locally who serve in our Armed Forces.”
Armed Service personnel who wish to take part in the event, please contact the Mayor’s Office. Tel: 01702 215141 or send an email.
Photographs from Armed Forces Day 2022 are available on our Flickr site.