Boris Johnson was joined at City Hall yesterday by members of the UK armed forces for a flag raising ceremony to mark the start of a nationwide week of Armed Forces Day celebrations.
The Mayor welcomed General Sir Richard Dannatt, Professional Head of the British Army, and Commander Liz Spencer of the Royal Navy to City Hall for the event, with veteran Maurice Hudson raising the flag.
Events will take place across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day, in London the week will be concluded with a veterans’ parade across Tower Bridge.
Speaking on Monday Mayor Johnson said: “My admiration for the men and women of the Armed Forces is without limit. The role they each have in ensuring our national security and responding to crises overseas and closer to home cannot be overstated.”
The Mayor added: “We hosted a celebration in Trafalgar Square last year, and I’m delighted that Armed Forces Day has been established as an annual event.” The celebrations referred to by the Mayor were announced by his predecessor Ken Livingstone in March 2008.
My father a WW2 Normandy veteran took part in the march across Tower Bridge on 26th June 2009.
He was very disapionted that Boris could not be there ?
He would like a response to the request of the reason why he did not attend . My father amongst other Normandy veteran aged between 86 / 88 made a great effort to be there .
And although tired had a wonderful day making history – as we believe this march across the bridge was the 1 st – and these men in their late eighties made a very good effort to attend , unfortunatly John Jeffrey [ a blind WW2 veteran ] failed a little after the 1st 500 yds . But still managed to be there .
My dads question Boris why where you not there ?
yours sincerly Charlotte
Charlotte,
Any man or woman who fought in either war deserves the respect of all citizens of this country. It was one of the few ‘just’ wars and those men and women laid down their lives without question and for the freedom of us all.
I cannot explain why our Mayor did not show up to this, maybe he was having problems getting a taxi.
My kind regards and appreciation to your father and his fellow veterans.
“I cannot explain why our Mayor did not show up to this, maybe he was having problems getting a taxi.”
Yep, clinging to the coat tails of veterans to make a cheap political quip about a taxi. I think we’ve got the right measure of you… didn’t take long.
Appealing,
Doing the rounds are we?
Do you know why Boris didn’t turn up then? I was simply guessing, but if you know better then please inform us.
Have you considered I might be learning this technique from our Mayor? – He seems very good at jumping on the coat tails of every passing issue (as long as it’s in his interests). Are you saying that’s wrong?
Oh dear – that is low isn’t it – luckily I am just a blogger, whereas Boris is merely running London.
Love really is blind – isn’t it?
People must remember that The Right Honourable Mayor for London Boris Johnson tried to claim back £16 . 50 for a Remembrance wreath for those that died during War . The House of Common’s Fee’s Office refused to pay Boris Johnson for that expense as it was completely unjustifiable and without conscience. How can anyone do such a thing like that , when many gave their lives for our freedom.
Boris Johnson says , as above : ” My admiration for the men and women of the armed forces is without limit” . These are the words from Boris Johnson The Mayor for London that did not bother to turn up to The Veteron’s Parade on , and across Tower Bridge . This is The Mayor that tries to shamefully claw back money that he had paid for a Remembrance Wreath .
I truely feel sorry and disappointed for those that have been insulted or offended by Boris Johnson’s absence from The Veteran’s Parade on Tower Bridge and I wish them well for the future.