MORE than 1,000 serving, veteran and cadet force personnel are to parade through the city centre to mark Armed Forces Day later this month.
Residents and visitors are invited to watch the colourful parade on Saturday 25 June which will also include massed pipes and drums and vintage military vehicles.
Local groups the 2nd Hilton Rainbows and 47th Aberdeen Girl Guides will give out 2,000 free hand-held flags for the public to wave. One side of the flag was designed by twelve-year-old Zuzanna Bolkowska, a pupil at Sunnybank School, as part of an Aberdeen City Council design competition in the build-up to Armed Forces Day.
Prizes were also awarded to Caelin Thom from Broomhill School and Noah James Minty, from Greenbrae School. All prize winners received a family pass to the Gordon Highlanders Museum and a ‘Bydandy’ cuddly toy provided by the Gordon Highlanders Museum. Plus, a Hobbycraft voucher.
As the parade passes the Town House, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen David Cameron, in his role of Lord-Lieutenant, will take the salute along with top military personnel.
The Lord-Lieutenant David Cameron said: “Aberdeen always welcomes the opportunity to thank personnel for their service to the country by turning out in large numbers to watch the parade. Spectators, young and old, pay tribute to the British Armed Forces for their efforts, hard work and dedication to keep us safe in the UK and across the globe.
“The pipe bands, marching personnel and military vehicles fill the length of Union Street and create a moving spectacle that is truly heart-warming.”
The Lord-Lieutenant also paid tribute to Zuzanna’s flag design. He said: “It was fantastic to present Zuzanna with her prize for winning the design a flag competition, and Sunnybank School set a high precedent for celebrating our Armed Forces as they waved their classmates flag with pride.
The parade begins at 11am at Albyn Place and then heads down Union Street to the Castlegate.
