Armed Forces Day 2021

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise by the nation ensuring that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. Portsmouth City Council are proud to uphold the Armed Forces Covenant and recognise that now more than ever, our armed forces community may need the support the Armed Forces Covenant provides. Information on how you can support, or be supported by the Covenant, is available on the Portsmouth City Council website.

For children growing up in military families, Armed Forces Day on Saturday 26 June and the week leading up to it is our opportunity to recognise and thank them for the unique sacrifices they and their families make and have made to support our security and wellbeing. In the past year military personnel across the country have supported us at home and abroad in the global fight against the pandemic, as well as continuing other humanitarian and peacekeeping activities around the world.

In Portsmouth and around the country, military veterans have also answered the call to action, providing much needed support to our vaccination centres and the local community. Veterans can be any age, and there are many with families that include school aged children. These children also need Armed Forces week as an opportunity to celebrate and share their experiences.

The pandemic has prevented large civic events but we will be celebrating Armed Forces Week with a flag raising ceremony to take place on Armed Forces Day.  There will also be guided walks around memorial sites and a small scale event at Gunwharf Quays.

There are lots of pre-existing educational resources available for schools and parents on the topic of the Armed Forces, past and present. These can be used during Armed Forces week to say thank you and find out more about the Armed Forces. Access the resources through the Armed Forces Day website.

If you share your school’s Armed Forces Day activities on social media, don’t forget to use the hashtag #SaluteOurForces and tag @ArmedForcesDay in your posts.

If you have any questions please email [email protected]