This in from the Isle of Wight council, in their own words. Ed
The Isle of Wight demonstrated its support for the armed forces at a ceremony in St Thomas’ Square, Newport on Monday (23 June).
After a specially commissioned Armed Forces Day flag was raised, community leaders and representatives of armed services organisations signed the Isle of Wight Community Covenant – a voluntary pledge of mutual support between the civilian community and its local armed forces personnel.
Purpose of the covenant
The covenant is designed to make it easier for service personnel, their families and veterans to access help and support from the Ministry of Defence, statutory providers and charitable and voluntary organisations on the Island.
Councillor Ian Ward, chairman of the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“The flag raising ceremony is about recognising the work of our armed forces and showing the Island’s support for the military community, both serving and retired. We are delighted to be able to officially sign the covenant which shows the Island’s commitment to making our community a welcoming place for members of the armed forces and their families.”
At the event, IW Lord Lieutenant Maj General Martin White said:
“The armed forces have in the last ten or 15 years got a really high profile in society because they have been putting their lives on the line in Afghanistan and elsewhere. It is only right and proper that we should recognise and acknowledge that.”
Specially commissioned Armed Forces Day flag
Last year the Flag Raising Ceremony was moved to Sts Thomas’ Square from County Hall, to make it more accessible for people to attend the ceremony.
The specially commissioned Armed Forces Day flag was moved from the square after the ceremony and flown from one of the permanent flag poles on the roof of County Hall.
Armed Forces Day is a national event to celebrate the work of the armed forces. This year it takes place on Saturday 29 June. Here on the Island, Armed Forces Day is being celebrated at two events. Appley Park and beach on Saturday 22 June and Cowes town and esplanade on Sunday 30 June.
The list of signatories to the covenant is as follows:
Lord Lieutenant Major General M S White CB CBE JP; Cllr Major (Rtd) Ian Ward, Isle of Wight Council chairman, on behalf of the local authority; Captain Aidan Talbott, Captain of the Portsmouth Naval Base on behalf of the Royal Navy; Lieutenant Colonel Philip Mileham, JRLO 145 (South) Brigade, on behalf of the Army; Wing Commander Jon Whitworth OC LATCC (Mil), on behalf of the Royal Air Force; Danny Fisher, chairman of the IW NHS Trust; Paddy Noctor, trustee of Community Action Isle of Wight, on behalf of the voluntary charities sector; Lt Col (Rtd) Chris Booth, Chief of Staff South East Reserve Forces and Cadets Association on behalf of SERFCA (Reserve); Terry Gandy, chairman of the IW Royal British Legion; Wing Commander (Rtd) John Turner, county chairman of IW SSAFA; David Groocock, president, Isle of Wight Chamber of Commerce, and Gill Kennett MBE, chairman, IW Association of Local Councils.
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
