Councillors are hoping to resurrect Armed Forces Day next year - although it could be “more flag raising than Red Arrows” due to tight budgets.
A motion put forward by Conservative councillor Bryan Flannagan was unanimously backed at a meeting of Stirling Council last Thursday.
It outlined the council’s “utmost respect” for all members of the Armed Forces community, including regular and reserve forces, veterans and cadet volunteers, as well as their families.
And it added: “The council agrees that Stirling should once again host Armed Forces Day. As a proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, the council agrees to work with and support all other stakeholders to ensure Stirling takes part, fully, in the next Armed Forces Day on June 24, 2023.”
The councillors agreed to instruct officers to consult with representatives of all the groups in order to bring forward a paper to the next full council meeting detailing the options available for the return of the event to Stirling.
Independent councillors will also get involved if they wish to do so.
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Councillor Flannagan, a former member of the Armed Forces himself, said not only was the event itself important but also events surrounding it. It is good for the pubs and restaurants and the amount of people who come into Stirling.
“It’s been a shame that the MoD (Ministry of Defence) being unable to facilitate it, combined with the pandemic, has seen it end. There are a few reasons it has to come back including that it’s key to showing our appreciation to the Armed Forces community but also to their families, the reservists, the cadet forces and it’s a prime opportunity to do that.
“If we don’t do something now we will miss the June 24 event and it would be some time before we see it again - or maybe never to return. It would be good to see a range of things - from raising flags right up to the Red Arrows...but I would settle for somewhere in the middle.
“The main thing is to see options explored. If the MoD cannot support anything of any amount, which would be unforutnate, the Armed Forces Covenant we have signed encourages us to do our own thing, whether it’s something in the Kings Park or something else.”
SNP councillor Gene Maxwell, who has also been involved himself with the Armed Forces, said his group supported the motion.
He added: “I do think that the spectrum is going to be very much closer to flag raising than to the Red Arrows - but it would be valuable to see where we can get to in order to express our thanks to the entire Armed Forces community, families, veterans, cadets etc, but resources, we have to recognise, are slim.”
Armed Forces Day was celebrated in June this year by the raising of the official flag over Stirling.
Stirling Council is an Armed Forces Covenant signatory and is recognised for its outstanding support to the Armed Forces Community as a holder of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award.
The Ministry of Defence’s Gold Award represents the highest badge of honour available to those that employ and support serving personnel, veterans, and families.
In its commendation, the council was praised for organising an annual armed forces day (prior to the pandemic) attracting thousands of visitors and hosting key employers and influencers; building close links with the 51st Infantry Brigade and Army Scotland HQ which were based in the city; providing generous leave and support for Reservists, and having a guaranteed interview scheme and work placements for services personnel.
