Last weekend Aldershot and Farnborough did what we do best. We came together, with warmth, pride and a huge sense of purpose, to host the national Armed Forces Day celebrations.
What an amazing weekend we had! To see so many residents, families, veterans, serving personnel and visitors from across the country was incredibly special. This was a massive moment for our towns, and I was so happy to see such a huge turnout to recognise the sacrifice, service and professionalism of our soldiers, sailors and aircrew.
My heartfelt thanks go to colleagues at Rushmoor Borough Council and to the sponsors, the Ministry of Defence, and the huge array of organisations, volunteers and partners who helped make the celebrations such a success. Most of all, thank you to the residents who came out in such numbers and showed the very best of our community.
For Aldershot, this celebration carried a particular significance. We are proud to be the Home of the British Army. Itā€™s not just a slogan, or a piece of history. It is who we are. Thousands of troops continue to be based here. Our community is shaped by generations of service. And Aldershot is home to the headquarters of the Standing Joint Command, which plays such an important role in our national resilience and security.
Farnborough, too, has an extraordinary story to tell. As the birthplace of British aviation, it remains a powerhouse for the aerospace and defence industries. The innovation, engineering and expertise based here help provide our Forces with the equipment, weapons and technology that keep our country safe. That contribution matters enormously, not only to our local economy, but to the security of the United Kingdom.
That is why I was so incredibly proud and delighted to have helped bring this national event to our area. It was a chance to say thank you to those who serve, to honour those who have served, and to show the rest of the country what Aldershot and Farnborough deliver for our nation.
But the legacy of this weekend will be about more than the crowds, the displays or the ceremonies. It will be about the pride it has strengthened in our community. It will be about the unity we felt as people of all ages and backgrounds came together. It will be about the recognition given to our Armed Forces community, and the renewed appreciation for the remarkable contribution our two towns make to Britain.
Armed forces Day was a reminder that in our towns, we do great big things. When duty calls, we step up. The weekend was not the end of something, it is the beginning of something big. Pride in who we are. And building for the future. Bringing more investment to our community, creating new opportunities for our young people. I will never stop campaigning for that, as your Member of Parliament.
