Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is flying the flag in support of Armed Forces Day.
A flag hoisting ceremony took place on Monday 20 June, at the Memorial Gardens in Carrickfergus, with Council joining hundreds of local authorities and organisations throughout the UK taking part in the campaign.
The flag will fly for one week leading up to national Armed Forces Day on main Council buildings in the Borough.
Armed Forces Day provides an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to troops, families, veterans and cadets.
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Noel Williams was joined by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for County Antrim, Edward Montgomery, Aldermen, Councillors, and representatives from the Armed Forces for the ceremony.
The Mayor said:
“Armed Forces Day is a time for reflection and recognition. It is a nationwide campaign honouring and celebrating the work of our armed forces. It is both a time to recognise those who serve and a time to reflect on the service which they provide.
“We have many family connections, with servicemen and women in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. We have many veterans who have served, but who still look back with pride on their service. We also have many historical connections with the armed forces.
“One of the more unusual is that Carrickfergus was birthplace 80 years ago this month of the US Rangers Regiment of the American Army. Both Carrickfergus and the US Rangers can be very proud of this connection.
“The strong bonds of comradeship for those serving is something which is retained throughout a lifetime and throughout the years our Borough has maintained a proud Service tradition and maintained a bond which is strong and resilient.
“I am very proud to be part of that Service tradition, having entered the Royal Air Force as a technician following my education in Carrickfergus Technical College, and later being commissioned as a pilot. My ‘Wings’ literally took me to other parts of the world and I am deeply proud to have served, and to have concluded my service as a Wing Commander.
“Armed Forces Day for me is therefore very special and as we mark it, let us reflect that we owe an incredible debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of our armed forces. They willingly do their duty to defend our freedom and our way of life. We should be, and are, extremely grateful for their courage and commitment on behalf of all of us.”