The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper BEM, His Majesty’s Deputy-Lieutenant for County Antrim, Colonel Neil Salisbury OBE DL, Pastor George McKimm, Paul Girvan MP, Pam Cameron MLA, Elected Members, Veterans and representatives of the British Legion at today’s flag raising event for Merchant Navy Day.
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper BEM was honoured to host a special flag raising of the Red Ensign at Antrim Civic Centre in recognition of Merchant Navy Day which is commemorated on Sunday 3 September.
His Majesty’s Deputy-Lieutenant for County Antrim, Colonel Neil Salisbury OBE DL, MP’s, Elected Members, Veterans and representatives from the Royal British Legion were amongst the guests at today’s flag raising service.
Leading the tributes to the gallantry of the brave men and women of the Merchant Navy, the Deputy-Lieutenant Colonel Neil Salisbury OBE DL read out a special message from from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, KG, GCVO, CD, ADC which included:
“Too often they are the forgotten or invisible service, by raising the Red Ensign you will ensure that at least on this day they are remembered. Your act will mean so much to their families and to the retired, but most especially to those at sea.”
The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper BEM, His Majesty’s Deputy-Lieutenant for County Antrim, Colonel Neil Salisbury OBE DL, Pastor George McKimm, Veterans and representatives of the British Legion.
During the Mayor’s address he paid homage to the immense sacrifices that the personnel of the Merchant Navy made in both the First and Second World Wars.
He said: “Let us honour the memory of the 17,000 merchant mariners who lost their lives in the Great War and over 30,000 in the Second World War, where they also played a key role in Operation Neptune, in support of the D-Day invasion of Normandy and of the Allied armies engaged in the Liberation of Europe.
“To our Merchant Navy veterans here today, to their families and friends, I extend the thanks of the Council for the courage, fortitude, and commitment shown by our heroic seafarers during times of war and peace.”
The Red Ensign flag was also raised at Mossley Mill.