What is Armed Forces Day?

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Saturday 24 June 2023 marks Armed Forces Day - an annual event to celebrate the people who make up the British Army, Navy and Air Force.

The special day honours everyone in the services, including soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, marines, reservists, cadets, families and armed forces veterans, too.

This year's main celebrations will be taking place in Falmouth in Cornwall, with a 1,000 person march made up of veterans happening in the town.

Cornwall Council has said it will be the largest and longest military parade ever held in the county.

How is Armed Forces Day being celebrated in 2023?

Image source, Reuters
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The parade will include fly-pasts from the Red Arrows

Armed Forces Day celebrations actually marks the end of Armed Forces Week, which began on Monday 19 June.

A flag-raising ceremony took place in Cornwall to mark Armed Forces Week and the county's role in this year's event.

Image source, Getty Images
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The Armed Forces Day flag was raised at a beach in Cornwall to mark the start of Armed Forces Week 2023

Saturday's parade will include fly-pasts from the Red Arrows, which is the Royal Air Force's aerobatic team, as well as other aircraft.

The RAF Falcons will also be performing a parachute drop over Pendennis Castle and Falmouth Bay.

Why is Armed Forces Day taking place?

Image source, Boys-looking-at-rocket.
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Children from local Cornish schools got to take part in organised activities as part of the Armed Forces Week celebrations

The purpose of the day is to pay tribute to serving and former armed forces personnel and their families.

It aims to showcase their contribution and remember the sacrifices they and their families have to make.

Image source, Getty Images
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Members of the Armed Forces march during parade in Stirling in 2019

The British Armed Forces are charged with defending the UK and it's overseas territories and dependencies.

They also serving to support action around the world including delivering aid, training other armies and supporting international peacekeeping missions.