THE FLAG is being raised in Stratford district for Armed Forces Day.
The day is an annual event which takes place on the last Saturday of June – falling this year on June 29. It gives communities the opportunity to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces including currently serving troops, service families, reservists, veterans and cadets.
And Stratford District Council will be raising its flag on Monday June 24 to kick off a week of celebrations.
SDC supports Armed Forces personnel all year round through an Armed Forces Community Covenant. The Covenant is a pledge to ensure that those who serve or who have served their country in the armed forces – and their families – should be treated with respect and fairness.
SDC leader Susan Juned said: “Armed Forces Day is important to show support for those who have served and continue to serve, and we’ll be flying the Armed Forces flag throughout the week of Armed Forces Day.
“The council continues to show its support for service men and women through the Armed Forces Community Covenant, which provides services and assistance to armed forces personnel past and present, and their families.”
Special consideration is given in the district to certain serving members and former serving members of the armed forces and reservists and also to spouses in specific situations when applying for social housing opportunities through Home Choice Plus.
SDC has also recently been awarded the Bronze Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. The ERS encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same.
As well as supporting armed forces, signing the Armed Forces Covenant and promoting being armed forces-friendly, it also means SDC is open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
The scheme encompasses bronze, silver, and gold awards for employer organisations that pledge, demonstrate or advocate support to defence and the armed forces community, and align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant.
SDC will now be working towards the Silver Award.
