ORGANISERS are gearing up for a week-long festival in Weymouth and Portland to honour those who give their lives for their country and to celebrate the role of the armed forces.

This year’s Armed Forces Day celebrations kick off this weekend with military displays and the veterans' parade.

A team of organisers including members of the borough council's events team were joined by local veterans on Weymouth seafront yesterday as the final preparations are made for the events.

The celebrations will kick off on Saturday, June 20 at 10am with a historic military display on Weymouth seafront, which is to be followed by a ‘1940s comes to Portland’ event from 12-4pm at Osprey Leisure Centre, Portland.

A military parade, which is taking place on Sunday at 11am after a short service at the Weymouth Cenotaph, is set to be a highlight of the weekend.

A band from HM Royal Marines in Plymouth will lead the march, followed by the principal division the Royal British Legion.

Almost 2,000 veterans, several marching bands and 80 historic military vehicles will be taking part in Sunday’s parade following an open-air service on the seafront.

Captain Fred Nock, deputy chairman of the South West Dorset Aden Veterans Association said: "It’s known all over the country that Weymouth has the largest parade.

"When you’re on the parade and people start clapping, it builds up inside of you that this is it and this is what we’re here for."

He added that the commemoration was a way to remember all who fought, not just those who were killed but those who were left with mental and physical problems as a result of the wars they fought.

Cllr Jason Osborne, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s tourism and culture spokesman said the borough was 'very proud' to have the prestigious opportunity to stage one of the country’s leading annual veteran’s events.

He said: “The borough and its residents embrace every aspect of the celebrations and looks forward to giving a warm and hospitable welcome to many thousands of veterans, armed forces personnel and their visiting family and friends.”

Cllr Osborne added: "For me it is a day we show how proud we are of these men, the fallen and the victorious and salute the people that fought in the war."

Stevie Blair, a drum major for the Royal Marines Band said: “It’s a great opportunity and a real honour to be taking part.”

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