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Armed forces

Southend Honours Troops Past and Present with Armed Forces Day 2025 Celebrations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Residents in Southend and across south Essex will come together to celebrate Armed Forces Day 2025, honoring troops past and present with a formal military parade and open-air show. The parade will pass through the city, featuring serving soldiers and veterans, including members of the Royal Artillery Association, who will be discussing their experiences with residents. The event marks the 80-year anniversary of VE and VJ Day, with a formal thanksgiving service to be held at Victoria Circus. Similar celebrations will take place in Basildon and Rayleigh, with the former Toys R Us in Basildon town centre hosting a parade and Rayleigh's famous windmill being illuminated in commemoration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The city of Southend will host a formal military parade and open-air show to honor troops past and present on Armed Forces Day 2025.
  • The parade will step off from the Railway Bridge on the High Street and march to Victoria Circus, where a formal thanksgiving service will be held, including a ceremony to mark the 80-year anniversary of VE and VJ Day.
  • The event will feature members of the Royal Artillery Association, including Gun Captain David Hadjicostas MBE, who will be carrying the union flag.
  • Serving soldiers and veterans will be in attendance, including one veteran who is 99 years old.
  • Residents are encouraged to attend the event to express gratitude for the service of Armed Forces members and to speak with participants about their experiences.
  • Similar celebrations will take place in Basildon and Rayleigh, with a parade and commemorative lighting of the town's famous windmill.

Statistics:

  • 80 years since VE and VJ Day
  • 99 years old is the age of a veteran attending the event
  • 100 years since the start of the Second World War started
  • 2025 is the year of Armed Forces Day celebrations in Southend

Sources:

  • "Byline: Peter Spriggs CELEBRATIONS will take place across Southend today as the city comes together to honour troops past and present with a formal military parade and open-air show for Armed Forces Day 2025."
  • "David Hadjicostas MBE, Gun Captain for the Shoeburyness and South Essex branch of the Royal Artillery Association, will be carrying the union flag in todays parade alongside other members of the association of serving soldiers and veterans."

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