Local veterans are getting ready to paint the region red.
Members of the Dumfries branch of the Merchant Navy Association will be flying their Red Ensign flags all over Dumfries and Galloway ahead of Merchant Navy Day on September 3.
And for the first time ever the iconic flag, also known as the Red Duster, will fly above the John Paul Jones museum on the Arbigland Estate.
Arthur Murphy, chairman of the local Merchant Navy Association, said: “The Red Ensign will fly next to the American flag.
“We thought it would be a good example of togetherness among the Merchant Navy and the Merchant Marines in the US.
“This place is such a historical and important museum locally with a maritime background.”
Sailor John Paul Jones, known as the “father of the American Navy”, was born in Arbigland and served in the Merchant Navy as a captain.
Every year members of various associations across the country fly the Red Ensign for a week in the build up to Merchant Navy Day on September 3.
After Covid-19 hampered plans slightly last year things are moving in the right direction once again.
Arthur added: “We still managed to go out and about and get flags up last year but meetings weren’t taking place during the height of the coronavirus.
“There will be Red Ensigns from Dumfries to Sanquhar and from Stranraer to Annan.”
