Moray Armed Forces celebration Day

Moray’s Armed Forces Day – the last one to be hosted by Moray Council - will be held in Keith on Saturday June 20th this year.

The annual celebration of the area’s military will take the form of a parade along Mid Street to Reidhaven Square, where the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, Clare Russell, will take the salute.

The square will host a variety of stalls and displays, in addition to a refreshment marquee that will be serving hot drinks and provide a licensed bar.

Serving members of the armed forces in Moray will be represented by personnel from 39 Engineer Regiment from Kinloss Barracks, and by airmen from RAF Lossiemouth.

The parade steps off at 2pm and the event closes at 5pm.

Convener of the Moray Council, Cllr Allan Wright, hosts the event. He said: “This is our opportunity to show our appreciation of the armed forces and their families.

“In Moray we are fortunate to have a long and proud association with all three arms of the military, and many veterans of those services continue to enhance our community.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to thanks all those who have served.”

A strong contingent of cadets will be on parade, as will a number veterans from all the services. Moray Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Chris Tuke, said that veterans would be particularly welcome.

“As an RAF veteran myself I know I’m one of many ex-servicemen and women that have served and settled in the area,” he said.

“It would be wonderful to see a strong representation of our veteran community on the day.”

Any veteran wishing to join the parade can present at the parade muster point on north Mid Street by 1330 hours on the day.

This will be the last time Moray Council hosts Armed Forces Day; from next year the event will be part of the open days at Moray’s military bases.

For more information on the event or how to attend the parade, contact Peter Jones on 01343 563601.