Flag raising ceremony at County Hall to celebrate our armed forces

The Armed Forces Day flag will be raised at County Hall on Monday 22 June

A flag raising ceremony is once again being held at Leicestershire County Council’s headquarters ahead of Armed Forces Day next week to show support for all our service personnel.

Armed Forces Day honours the huge contribution made by current and former members of the armed forces, their families, reservists and adult cadet volunteers, and is always well supported by the county council.

The Armed Forces Day flag will be raised at County Hall on Monday 22 June by David Gibbs, who served in the Army as a Royal Military Police officer for 22 years.

The council’s annual ceremony will take place at the Stand Easy memorial at 10.30am. It will include a welcome by Leicestershire County Council Chairman, Councillor Linda Danks, and an address by the Lord-Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Mike Kapur OBE CStJ.

Guests at the flag raising will include current members of the armed forces, veterans, cadets and representatives from the Royal British Legion. Pupils from the Hall Primary School in Glenfield will also be taking part, with the reading of the poem Victory Bells by Graze Hazard Conkling.

The ceremony will conclude with prayers led by Reverend David Hover and the singing of the National Anthem.

Councillor Linda Danks, Chairman of Leicestershire County Council said:

"Armed Forces Day is an important opportunity for us to recognise and thank the brave men and women who serve, and have served, in our armed forces.

By raising the flag, we are sending a clear message of pride, respect and appreciation for their dedication, sacrifice and commitment.

It is also a chance for our communities to come together in support of the entire Armed Forces community, including service families and veterans, whose contribution to our country should never be forgotten."

Following the ceremony, the Armed Forces Day flag will continue to fly at County Hall until after the national Armed Forces Day on Saturday, 27 June, which will be marked by a parade through Leicester city centre, starting from the Clock Tower at 11am.

The parade will pass along High Street to Jubilee Square for an open-air Drumhead Service at 11.20am. It will be made up of local veterans, cadets and reservists, serving members of the Armed Forces and the Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders. Enderby Band will be playing as part of the Drumhead Service.

The event is open to all, and members of the public are very welcome to attend.

Look out for posts across our social media channels to mark the national Armed Forces Week, celebrating the contribution of our military community.

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Leicestershire County Council News - Monday, 15 June, 2026