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.