A FLAG was raised at East Lothian Council headquarters to mark Armed Forces Week.

The week concludes with Armed Forces Day, which took place on Saturday, June 25, with the county coming together to celebrate the work of service personnel, reservists and cadets.

East Lothian Provost John McMillan and Deputy Lieutenant Patrick Gammell were present to witness the flag raising, along with East Lothian Council chief executive Monica Patterson; Tom Logan of the East Lothian Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club; and Iain Maddox from the Royal British Legion.

The flag flew from John Muir House in Haddington in recognition of the dedication and sacrifice of armed service personnel and veterans.

Mr McMillan emphasised the importance of celebrating their contribution in delivering peace and stability around the world.

He said: “Most of us are fortunate to never know war or conflict.

“Our exposure comes from TV and films, or from the awful scenes that we see unfold in other countries in news coverage.

“Our armed forces personnel, though, know first-hand what it means to serve your country, travelling to regions and working with partners and within communities to restore peace and stability.

“Many never fully leave behind what they have been through and carry those experiences with them daily, often physically, when they transition to civilian life. Armed Forces Week is an opportunity for us to recognise their service.”

And he added: “It is a chance for us to express our gratitude for their dedication on our behalf, and to recognise the significant roles that our veterans play within East Lothian, sharing their skills and talents to make a positive contribution to our county.”

Patrick Gammell, a deputy lieutenant of East Lothian, echoed those thoughts, highlighting the importance of recognising the armed forces in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year.

He said: “Armed Forces Week gives us the opportunity to recognise the crucial contribution made to all our lives by Her Majesty’s armed forces, especially in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year and at this time of global uncertainty.

“It’s also an opportunity to recognise the increasingly important role played by the reservists and their civilian employers.

“There are clear benefits to all concerned with the armed forces being able to access skills learned in the civilian world, not least in technology, while the reservists and their employers benefit from the skills learned with the armed forces, such as reliability, teamwork and focus.”