This Saturday 25th June, Southend High Street hosts a special event to honour past, present and future members of our Armed Forces.
The annual Armed Forces Parade including cadets, current members of the Armed Services and Veterans will set off at 10:30am from Southend Central Railway Bridge.
This parade will march up the High Street and halt outside the Victoria Shopping Centre for an open air service accompanied by a choir and band.
All are welcome to attend and to visit the Veterans stall in the High Street as part of the regular Saturday market.
Then on Sunday 26th June from 10am until 6pm there will be a free display of military vehicles at City Beach on Southend seafront, arranged by Southend Seafront traders.
Retired Major General John Hawkins, who is Membership Secretary, Welfare Officer and Standard Bearer for Southend and District Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, spoke of the significance of these events.
He said: “Armed Forces Day is so important to myself, to ex-service men and women and to the public, to reflect on those who gave their lives in the cause of our continuing freedom.”
Cornwall-born Mr Hawkins, a former Marconi Wireless Company apprentice, was recruited in East Street, Prittlewell for National Service and enlisted in the 57th Foot Middlesex Regiment (DCO). He later joined the Regular Army where he spent 22 years - including serving in the Korean War from 1951 – 1953. After being demobilised, he served for years with the Army Emergency Reserve and during this time he was called up for Suez conflict.
Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, Councillor Ann Holland said: “We are very proud to stage these free events to allow everyone to publicly show their support for all of our Armed Service people, and especially remember those who bravely laid down their lives while serving their country.
“This support is hugely appreciated by past, present and future members of the Armed Services, so we hope as many residents and visitors as possible will come along.
“We know from previous years that Armed Forces Weekend celebrations really capture the attention of everyone who attends.”
The annual Armed Forces Parade including cadets, current members of the Armed Services and Veterans will set off at 10:30am from Southend Central Railway Bridge.
This parade will march up the High Street and halt outside the Victoria Shopping Centre for an open air service accompanied by a choir and band.
All are welcome to attend and to visit the Veterans stall in the High Street as part of the regular Saturday market.
Then on Sunday 26th June from 10am until 6pm there will be a free display of military vehicles at City Beach on Southend seafront, arranged by Southend Seafront traders.
Retired Major General John Hawkins, who is Membership Secretary, Welfare Officer and Standard Bearer for Southend and District Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association, spoke of the significance of these events.
He said: “Armed Forces Day is so important to myself, to ex-service men and women and to the public, to reflect on those who gave their lives in the cause of our continuing freedom.”
Cornwall-born Mr Hawkins, a former Marconi Wireless Company apprentice, was recruited in East Street, Prittlewell for National Service and enlisted in the 57th Foot Middlesex Regiment (DCO). He later joined the Regular Army where he spent 22 years - including serving in the Korean War from 1951 – 1953. After being demobilised, he served for years with the Army Emergency Reserve and during this time he was called up for Suez conflict.
Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism and the Economy, Councillor Ann Holland said: “We are very proud to stage these free events to allow everyone to publicly show their support for all of our Armed Service people, and especially remember those who bravely laid down their lives while serving their country.
“This support is hugely appreciated by past, present and future members of the Armed Services, so we hope as many residents and visitors as possible will come along.
“We know from previous years that Armed Forces Weekend celebrations really capture the attention of everyone who attends.”
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