Lisburn Awash With Colour And Music To Celebrate Armed Forces Day NI
June 24, 2019
Over 15,000 people came to Lisburn to show their support for the Armed Forces at the regional Armed Forces Day event.
Starting at 10.30am a parade of serving personnel, cadets and veterans with accompanying regimental bands made its way through the city centre to Wallace Park. Crowds lined the streets to show their support for those who selflessly risk their lives for others.
The Drumhead Service in Wallace Park marked the end of the parade and it was very symbolic to see the drums of the regimental bands stacked as a field service altar with the regimental colours. Wallace Park was a hive of activity with musical entertainment from the Military Wives Choir, Peter Corry and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers throughout the afternoon. Those who took part in the Armed Forces Day celebrations also got to see parachute displays, old military planes and vehicles and talk to our serving soldiers in Wallace Park.
The Mayor, Councillor Alan Givan, speaking about the day said: “I was honoured as Mayor to take the salute from the parade as it passed the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum. Lisburn has a long military history and it was fantastic to host a parade of armed forces regiments with their bands, cadets and veterans in our garrison city. It really was a fitting day to show the council’s support for our troops; and I would like to thank everyone who came to Lisburn to show their support for our veterans, current troops and future generations of service personnel.”
The Beating Retreat led by the Band of the Royal Marines concluded the day of celebration and was a poignant end to a successful day.
Alderman James Tinsley, Chairman of the council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee added: “Our council area has honoured military organisations with the Freedom of its area at certain times over the last 35 year to acknowledge local servicemen. I was delighted when the council signed its Armed Forces Covenant in 2017, outlining our commitment to supporting and working in partnership with our armed forces to encourage engagement with the wider community at local events like today.”
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council was delighted with the turnout to support Armed Forces Day Northern Ireland and hopes that everyone enjoyed the day. It would also like to encourage residents and visitors to visit its ‘Peace Day, 1919: Living and remembering in the aftermath of the Great War’ in the Irish Linen Centre & Lisburn Museum. This is a new major exhibition featuring artefacts, medals, uniforms and photographs and will be open until November (Monday – Saturday 9.30am – 4.30pm).