Armed Forces Day 2011 27.06.11
13Parades and street parties were held up and down the country on Saturday, to celebrate the third annual UK Armed Forces Day. All over Britain celebrations were held in honour of the nation's servicemen and women, as people showed their support and gratitude for the forces. It is believed that around 100,000 descended upon Edinburgh, which was this year's official host city, to enjoy a packed schedule of activities. Events got under way as 90 motorcyclists, from the Royal British Legion Scotland Riders Branch, drove down the Royal Mile to celebrate the Legion's 90th anniversary. A moment of silence was held at the Falklands Memorial Garden in Princes Street Gardens, as members of the South Atlantic Medal Association laid a wreath, followed by a reading of the Falklands Prayer. The highlight of the day came as 2,500 military personnel made their way down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle's Esplanade to Holyrood Park. Outside the Scottish Parliament building the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall stood to watch the parade. They were joined by Prime Minister David Cameron, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond, Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore and Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox. The prince stood on a podium and saluted every member of the Armed Forces to pass him. Around 500 servicemen and women marched first, followed by 2,000 veterans and cadets. Camilla wore a cream jacket by Anna Valentine and a black and cream hat by Philip Treacy. She also wore a 9th/12th Lancers brooch, which had three feathers with a crown above and a flag on either side. Her father Major Bruce Shand served in the regiment. Charles wore the uniform of the number one dress of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. Charles is colonel-in-chief, colonel or royal colonel of 18 regiments in the UK and the Commonwealth. Charles and Camilla, who are known as the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay when they visit Scotland, then made their way to a ceremony of thanks, the Drumhead Service, where they sang hymns, said prayers and stood for the national anthem. At the service, the head of the Ministry of Defence, General Sir David Richards, said: "I know the servicemen and women that I have the privilege of leading feel the same way as I do. We are immensely proud to service this country." The royal couple then went on to present a selection of veterans from across the Armed Forces with the HM Armed Forces Veterans' Badge, before meeting members of the public. Camilla was handed a bouquet of flowers from 11-year-old Katie Tait, a pupil at Colinton primary school in Edinburgh. Bob Kennedy, a veteran of the Royal Marines, spoke to both Charles and Camilla, and said the whole day had been "tremendous". Mr Kennedy, who is originally from Glasgow but has lived in Ontario, Canada, since he left the Marines in 1947, said he had sent Charles a photograph of the Queen Mother for his 60th birthday. He said: "I had a beautiful picture of the Queen Mother taken in Inverurie in Aberdeenshire, which I had held on to for many years. "I decided to send it to Charles on his birthday and he wrote back from Clarence House saying thank you. "Today I reminded him that it was me and he told me it had been a lovely gesture. "It's been an honour to meet them both." The Duke and Duchess also visited the Veterans' Village in the park, which was lined with stands representing different charities including Erskine, Poppy Scotland and the South Atlantic Medal Association (Sama), an organisation set up to help those who served during the Falklands War. Ian Kaye, chairman of the Sama Scotland branch, said he had been telling the prince of their plan to build a new war memorial in Staffordshire. He said: "We are currently raising funds for the memorial, which will next year be dedicated to commemorate the 30th anniversary of those who gave their lives. "It was unique because it was the first time in British military history that the tri-services were brought together with out any outside help - the army, navy and RAF." The evening was topped off by a performance from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, before a Typhoon flypast and the lowering of the Armed Forces flags. Defence Secretary Liam Fox said: "It is heart-warming to see the crowds here at the national event and to watch the spectacular displays that have been organised." It was also announced that Plymouth has been chosen to host next year's Armed Forces Day celebrations.