Lorraine Kelly launches Scotland's Armed Forces Day
Friday 18 June 2010 9:50 AM
Television presenter and forces sweetheart Lorraine Kelly launched Scotland's Armed Forces Day 2010 yesterday with a busy morning, taking in a variety of modes of transport on offer with the three services.
Lorraine was flown in by military helicopter, carried across the water by the Royal Navy's finest, and drove an armoured vehicle to raise awareness for this year's national Armed Forces Day.
Armed Forces Day takes place in the UK on 26 June 2010 with people across the country showing their support and appreciation for serving members of the Armed Forces and for veterans who have served in the past and are not forgotten.
The first Scottish event kicks off at the Stirling Military Show on 19 June 2010 with the main celebrations taking place in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow on 26 June 2010.
Launching the Scottish events yesterday, Loraine Kelly started off at RAF Leuchars where Air Officer Scotland handed her the Armed Forces Day flag. She then flew by rescue helicopter to Scotstoun where she was winched down into the shipyard to meet sailors on the Navy's latest Type 45 Destroyer HMS Diamond.
She was joined on the ship's flight deck by the Deputy First Minister and Glasgow Lord Provost, then taken by fast rigid inflatable boat up the Clyde towards the Armadillo (with helicopter escort) to meet at the riverside Brigadier David Allfrey and a soldier from 1 Scots who helped her to raise the flag on an armoured vehicle. They then drove the vehicle along the quayside to outside the science centre tower where her journey ended.
Lorraine said:
"I'm proud to be supporting Armed Forces Day again. These men and women serve our country with loyalty, bravery and professionalism, at home and abroad. I've felt honoured this year to meet some of these amazing people, young and old, and think they thoroughly deserve to have a special day in their honour.
"I urge local people to go along to local Armed Forces Day events across Scotland, to enjoy the activities and meet our troops and veterans - we can all learn a lot from their courage and determination."
51 (Scottish) Brigade Commander, Brigadier David Allfrey, added:
"Councils and communities across Scotland have really fallen in behind the armed forces and are working tremendously hard to provide celebrations and action packed days. It means a great deal to us. I hope that members of the public who don't normally make contact with the military, take this opportunity to come along and get to know us a bit better.
"Many of the military units based in Scotland are regularly deployed on operations in Afghanistan, making personal sacrifices to defend the UK from terrorism and contribute to international peace and security. They are very grateful for the incredible support that the people in Scotland show to them and their families - it gives them strength and helps them focus in the job in hand."
Lord Provost Bob Winter said:
"The people of Glasgow are very proud of their armed forces. These are men and women who have been deployed in conflicts around the globe demonstrating great courage, skill and self sacrifice. It is great that Lorraine is giving our armed forces her support. It's a really wonderful way to celebrate all that our brave soldiers, sailors and airmen do."
Over a period of two weeks there will be events over the whole of Scotland: at Dundee, Perth, Inverness, Kingussie, Kirkcaldy, Lerwick, Greenock, East Kilbride, Ayr, Keith, Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Kelso, Paisley, Spean Bridge, Wick, Dingwall, Montrose, Alloa, Stirling, Edinbugh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Kirkwall.
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