When is Armed Forces Day 2021? Will the Red Arrows be flying?
Armed Forces Day is a day to show support to people in our armed forces  from veterans to those currently serving. Whether they are in the Royal Navy, British Army, or Royal Air Force, its a chance to thank our troops and their families for their hard work and the sacrifices they have made. Sign up to our daily newsletter The i newsletter cut through the noise Sign up Thanks for signing up! Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Armed forces day in Glasgow's George Square, 2018 (John Devlin)  Armed Forces Day happens each year on the last Saturday of June. This year, it will take place on Saturday, June 26. However, the celebrations began on Monday (June 21), with Armed Forces Day flags raised on famous buildings, landmarks, and even peoples homes across the UK for #ArmedForcesWeek. Armed Forces Day in Edinburgh on 22 June 2019. (Photo: Graham Clark)  Traditionally, parades are held in towns and cities up and down the country on Armed Forces Day. Serving military men and women, veterans, cadets, and youth organisations are accompanied by local bands and sometimes vintage military vehicles. However, events this year may be affected by Covid-19 restrictions. Organisers are advised to check the local guidance for where they are to see if gatherings can safely take place. Under Scotlands level 1 rules, up to 12 people from 12 different households are allowed to meet outdoors. However, according to Scottish Government guidance, marches and parades can take places in levels 0, 1, and 2. This is as long as organisers follow requirements to limit the risk of spreading coronavirus, and participants take measures like physical distancing and wearing face coverings. The first UK Armed Forces Day was held on June 27, 2009 at Chatham Historic Dockyard. It replaced the previous Veterans Day. Each year since then, the main event has been held in a different corner of the UK. In 2011 and 2019 the march took place in Edinburgh. But with the coronavirus pandemic, Armed Forces Days moved online in 2020. And this year the national event in Scarborough has been postponed until June 2022 due to Covid restrictions. You can see if an event is taking place near you on the Armed Forces Day website. But other ways to get involved include using the hashtag #SaluteOurForces, flying your own flag or bunting, or even hosting a small event with friends. The Red Arrows, also known as the Royal Air Force Acrobatic Team, has in the past performed Armed Forces Day flypasts. At last years event, the Red Arrows soared in the North Yorkshire skies above Scarborough  the town which was due to host the 2020 event that had to be cancelled. But this year, its not clear whether the RAF squadron will be taking to the skies for Armed Forces Day. The Red Arrows schedule says the team will be at a Battle of Britain airshow in Headcorn on Friday (June 25), but no event is officially scheduled on Saturday. The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for further information. A message from the Editor:  Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.