Armed Forces Day in Moray

Armed Forces Day was marked in Moray with the raising of the dedicated flag.

Moray Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Donald Gatt – himself an RAF veteran – hoisted the flag above the council HQ in Elgin, assisted by Lance Corporal  Paul Robinson from 39 Engineer Regiment at Kinloss, SAC Katherine Audin from RAF Lossiemouth and Moray Council chief executive Roddy Burns.

Cllr Gatt said that the armed forces community in Moray is treasured.

“Moray has been synonymous with the military for many, many years and its personnel – serving and veteran – play a major part in the make- up of our community,” he said.

“As a council we work closely with both bases to ensure our services meet the needs of personnel and their families, and their presence in Moray has raised the area’s profile in many arenas.

“I’m honoured to highlight our support for the armed forces, not just for this annual day but all year round.”

The flag will remain flying for the weekend.

Commanding Officer of 39 Eng Regt, Lt Col Jamie Stuart said:

The whole 39 Engineer Regiment family are very grateful for the way we are integrated into, and supported by the local community.

“It is great to be able to be part of this Moray Council flag raising ceremony, which highlights their continued wide-ranging support for the whole Armed Forces community in Moray. 

“Close communication with the local community and our work providing COVID-19 Mobile Testing Units is a further demonstration of how we all support each other routinely and in these trying times.”

His sentiments were echoed by Group Captain Chris Layden, Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth, who said: “We sincerely value our close connections within the local communities of Lossiemouth and Elgin, as well as those in the wider Moray area – now more than ever.

 “RAF Lossiemouth is tasked with securing the skies, and now the seas, of the United Kingdom. Both are complicated tasks, and we are fortunate to have extensive support from Moray Council and our friends and partners around the region to help us succeed on a daily basis.

 “We thank all of Moray for their continued support to our Armed Forces, and look forward to many more years of close cooperation and partnership as we move our brand new fleet of nine Poseidon submarine-hunters into RAF Lossiemouth in autumn this year.”