A POIGNANT ceremony was held outside the borough council offices to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Dan Putty led the Mayoral Party outside before a bugle was played to start the service.

Members of the armed forces community including cadets, veterans and serving personnel along with residents, councillors and politicians attended the service at 10am outside the Civic Offices where the Mayor’s Chaplain, the Bishop of Basingstoke David Williams, welcomed everyone.

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(Image: Sean Dillow)

 

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The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Dan Putty led the Armed Forces Flag Raising Ceremony at the borough council Civic Offices this morning in a moving service watched by veterans, serving personnel, and residents. #ArmedForcesDay #ArmedForces #Basingstoke

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He paid tribute to those who have “paid the ultimate price” for our freedom, adding: “On Armed Forces Day it’s absolutely right that you and I pause in the midst of our life and recognise that sacrifice.”

Cllr Alex Lee then addressed the crowds to give a personal account of his own time spent serving in the armed forces, joining aged just 17 in 2007 and serving for 13 years, with his last official tour in Afghanistan.

“My time in the forces saw me travel around the UK and the globe,” he said, adding: “My time in the forces is not without its sadness. I saw great people, friends of mine, lose their lives.”

He said that for those who have served in the forces, the memories “never fade”.

Cllr Lee then read a poem by Clive Sanders titled Unless You’ve Been a Soldier.

Mayor Cllr Putty then gave a short speech, thanking everyone for attending and those who have served or who are currently serving in the armed forces, before raising the flag which will fly all week in the lead-up to Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 29.

The event, organised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in partnership with Basingstoke and Overton Royal British Legion, also included a one-minute silence.

Mayor Cllr Dan Putty said: “Armed Forces Week is a chance for us to celebrate and show our appreciation for everyone in the armed forces community – from serving troops to service families as well as veterans and cadets.”

Veteran Brendan Cooney MBE, 79, from Cranbourne was there to watch the ceremony.

The great-grandfather served for 59 years as a chef in the territorial army, travelling across the world including to Borneo in 1965.

He said: “For me, being able to see people on parade and the flag raising it’s great.”