Bolton celebrated Armed Forces Day in style on Saturday with the town putting on a "great ceremony" and paying tribute to fallen heroes.
Armed Forces Day commemorate the service of men and women in the British Armed Forces, having previously been called Veterans’ Day.
The event in the town started with the ceremony at 10.40am, which involved a flag ceremony from Bolton Sea Cadets, the laying of wreaths and a speech from Vicar of Bolton, Canon Chris Bracegirdle.
The ceremony started with the speech from the Vicar of Bolton, who highlighted the importance of remembering the heroism and sacrifice of all who fought and died in conflicts, as well as remembering those who have served the country in other ways.
A trumpeter then played The Last Post and the Bolton Sea Cadets carried out their flag ceremony.
Mayor of Bolton, Akhtar Zaman, then laid a wreath at the Victoria Square War Memorial, as did representatives from the Bolton branch of the Royal Artillery Association.
The ceremony was followed by a day of fun, including stalls from military groups such as the Bolton branch of the Royal Artillery Association, armed forces and veteran vehicles and equipment and Bolton Wanderers in the Community football stadia and football darts, among other attractions.
Speaking after the ceremony, Bob Nicholls, Treasurer of the Bolton branch of the Royal Artillery Association highlighted the importance of the day.
He said: “It was a great ceremony. It’s good to see various stands showing their support.
“It is a bit like VE day, but Armed Forces Day pulls everything together. It’s a way of remembering people that have fallen and people who have served but aren’t in great shape.”
Bob spoke on how it is good to give people a chance to come and support it.
He said: “We celebrated the armed forces on the 20th June, at the start of the week.
“Celebrating the day today, this way the town can celebrate in a fuller capacity, we get to have a full day of it.”
The Royal Artillery Association is a charity which provides help to anyone who is or ever has been part of the regimental family, with welfare support, advice and guidance among other services.
If you would like to get involved with them then go to their website, https://www.thegunners.org.uk/
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