Today is Reserves Day, part of Armed Forces Week and an opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to all the reserves and cadets for supporting our Armed Forces.
Kent is home to six Reserve Centres with 558 Reservists and 5,366 Cadets, as well as over 1,000 Cadet Adult Volunteers and Civilian Committee Members.
In September 2018, Kent County Council were proud to be awarded the Ministry of Defence Gold Employers Recognition Award, part of which was in recognition for our commitment and support to those Reservists, Veterans and Cadet Adult Volunteers who work for us.
The Chairman said: “Around 15% of today’s Armed Forces are reservists who, time after time, have come to Britain’s aid by supporting the Regulars and, more recently, the NHS in fighting COVID-19.
“They remain integral to the future of Britain’s defence and here at KCC we are proud to have a number of Reservists working with us.
“We should also take a moment today to remember Kent’s Cadets forces and the one thousand plus adult volunteers, who mentor them and show them the virtue of commitment and the rewards of success as our young people prepare for life as responsible citizens.”
The Chairman marked the start of Armed Forces Week by flying the Armed Forces Flag at County Hall in Maidstone.
Kent is home to three principal Army bases, one RAF Base and a number of Reserve Centres, with over 4000 service personnel and their families living in the county, as well as 77,000 ex-service personnel and veterans.
In September 2018, Kent County Council were proud to be awarded the Ministry of Defence Gold Employers Recognition Award for our outstanding commitment and support to the Armed Forces.
Armed Forces Week is an opportunity for everyone in Kent to recognise and honour the men, women and young people who make up our Armed Forces, Reserves, and Cadet Forces.
It is particularly important that we recognise the contribution made by our armed forces this year, in light of their support in the covid-19 testing and vaccination process across the county.
The Chairman said: “It is important for Kent County Council to fly the Armed Forces Day flag on Monday 21 June to show our support for the Armed Services community.
“This last year has seen military personnel deployed across the UK to assist with COVID-19 testing and especially here in Kent, to help deliver supplies and to generally support our frontline services.”
“It is just as important to remember that behind the flags and events taking place, as we speak, brave people are putting their lives at risk on the ground, in the air and at sea to keep us safe and free as we build a better world for our children. We must also remember that each of our Armed Forces personnel is also a husband or a wife; a mother or father; a son or a daughter.
“They would not be able to serve the country as they do without the support of their families and friends, and I would like to take a moment today to recognise and say thank you to all those that support our serving personnel as well. “
“I am proud that Kent County Council is, once again, flying the Armed Forces Day flag, and I take this opportunity, on behalf of the County Council, to say thank you to all our service personnel both here in Kent, in the UK and those serving overseas. May you all return safely to your families.”