Hundreds gather in Gravesend and Dartford for Armed Forces Day 2019
06:00, 29 June 2019
Hundreds of people around the county will band together to celebrate Armed Forces Day.
Residents will flock together to show their support for current troops, service families, veterans and cadets.
Many people already paid their respects for the forces last week, but the official Armed Forces Day is today.
People met at the community square, in Gravesend, joined by mayor Cllr Gurdip Ram Bungar, on Monday to raise six flags.
Speaking after the event, the mayor said: “It was an honour and a privilege to be a part of the flag-raising ceremony to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets.
"Thank you to everyone that joined us on Community Square and to those of you that shared our posts on social media to spread the word and praise our troops.”
Last Saturday an Armed Forces celebration was held in Greenhithe to raise money.
MP Gareth Johnson was full of laughter as he targeted Dartford mayor Roger Perfitt in the stocks with sponges.
Organiser Alison Luck said: "The day was really well supported by everyone in the local community, the weather was perfect.
"The pipers opened the event at around 1pm and the mayor of Dartford attended. He was a great sport and got in the stocks, letting Gareth Johnson soak him with sponges.
"Knockhall Groovy Movers put on a great display of Mr Tom and the day ended with the last post, which was supported by army and police cadets."
People of Swanley will be celebrating Armed Forces Day today between 11am and 4pm with around 30 stalls at Swanley Recreation Ground, offering activities such as children's rides and sneak peaks inside a fire engine.
For all the Armed Forces Day events, click here.
