Military children take part in flag-raising event at Parliament
A group of children of serving and former military personnel have taken part in a flag-raising event at the Houses of Parliament.
The Voices of Armed Forces Children Choir, which made it through to the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent, attended the ceremony at the Houses of Parliament – performing songs portraying what it means to be a military child with a parent on deployment.
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle led Parliament in celebrating the community created for the Armed Forces and their families, and told Forces News the event "really matters".
"They're telling us about their story, how they feel when they know their parents are going overseas, going to a frontline position, and the effect it has on them," he said.
"So this is recognition, not just of the people that serve their country, but the families as well."
Sir Lindsay used the opportunity to thank servicemen and women ahead of Armed Forces Day and praised the military for the sense of family and community wherever they are deployed.
He added it is important to hear from military personnel because "Parliament decide the fate and future of the Armed Forces".
Watch: Armed Forces Day flag raised at Scarborough ceremony.
"We decide whether they go to war or not, we decide what's going to happen next so, therefore, we have a big impact on serving personnel," he said.
"I want them to come here… to show that the House of Commons not only do we care about the people who serve their country, but we want to be a part of that as well."
The ceremony marks a year since the House of Commons Speaker signed the Armed Forces Covenant, committing the House of Commons to be a 'Forces-friendly' employer.
"This house makes tough decisions, hard decisions which affect people," he said.
"I want to be on the side of the people that serve our forces and I want to show that we care and it matters and we believe in you and we thank you for everything you do."
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