27/06/2008 08:36:00
The third National Veterans Day celebrations will take place in Blackpool today, Friday 27 June. where thousands of people are expected to pay their respects to the work of the UK's armed forces.
The town in the north west of England beat four other UK cities to be chosen as the host for the national event in 2008.
The announcement that Blackpool's bid had been successful was made by Derek Twigg, the minister for veterans, at the Imperial War Museum in London earlier this year. Speaking to the BBC, Robert Wynne, the Mayor of Blackpool, said:
"Blackpool is absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the host for National Veterans' Day 2008. It's a great honour for the town. Blackpool has many historical links with the Armed Forces and has a special place in the hearts of many veterans."
Blackpool has been holding its own annual Veteran's Week since 2005. Today's events are part of a nine day programme in the seaside town and will end on Sunday.
A service of celebration and thanksgiving led by the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev Nicholas Reade, will take place at the resort's centopath. A Battle of Britain memorial flight will pass over those congregated for the service and a march to celebrate the right to Freedom of the Borough of Blackpool will be undertaken by the 12th Regiment Royal Artillery.
According to the BBC, organisers are hoping that the largest ever Veterans' Day parade will take place after an award ceremony where 50 veterans will be presented with lapel badges at the resort's tower ballroom,
The day's festivities will be capped off with a display from the Red Devils parachute team, who will drop onto Blackpool beach. Various celebrations of the UK's servicemen and women are taking place around the country this week, including a veteran-themed film festival in Stirling in Scotland.