The Queen and Prime Minister saluted our servicemen and women as the country marked Armed Forces Day.
Our iconic Red Arrows left a trail of red, white and blue smoke as they performed a flypast at RAF Leeming yesterday as part of this year’s more muted celebrations.
They also took to the skies above Scarborough, North Yorks, which was due to host an event that was cancelled due to coronavirus.
Across the country the Armed Forces Day flag was been raised in tribute.
The Queen said: “Having had members of my family serve in each of the armed services, I know only too well of the pride service personnel take in their duty.
“As your Commander-in-Chief, I send my warmest best wishes to you all, your families, and the entire Armed Forces community.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson shared a message in which he hailed the contribution of the heroes during the coronavirus crisis.
He highlighted the Army’s support in building NHS Nightingale hospitals, the RAF’s help in repatriating Brits stranded abroad and the Navy providing air ambulances in rural areas.
Mr Johnson said: “There’s a grim irony in the fact that the pandemic which our military is doing so much to fight, means we can’t hold the Armed Forces Day festivities at which we could thank you for doing so much.
“But take it from me, whether you’re a regular, a reservist, a civilian contractor, a veteran, or the family and friends who support our military in so many ways, we as a nation salute you.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer also thanked serving personnel for their work during the pandemic such as running testing sites or getting personal protective equipment to frontline workers.
“The first duty of any Government is to keep its people safe and it’s you, our armed forces, who every day stand ready to put your lives on the line for our country,” he said in an online video.
Sir Keir said the country must address the challenges the armed forces face around pay, recruitment and support for our veterans.
He announced new group, the Labour Friends of the Forces, to strengthen the party’s connections with veterans, active personnel and forces’ families.
Meanwhile, Air Vice-Marshal Chris Elliot, controller of the RAF Benevolent Fund, urged people to remember the 300,000 RAF veterans in need of support, be that through financial difficulties or loneliness, who are particularly vulnerable during the coronavirus pandemic.
