PEOPLE who have served in the armed forces are again being invited to a special ceremony this summer to honour their courage and sacrifice in both war and peace.

Fenland District Council is organising another Veterans Day celebration on Friday June 29. It will include a thanksgiving service at St Peter’s church in March, followed by lunch in the church hall.

At the heart of the event will be the presentation of the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge to anyone who has served in the Army, Royal Navy or Royal Air Force who has not previously had it formally presented.

It will be the third time that FDC has staged such an event. Similar ones were held in 2009 and 2010.

Any veterans who want to take part must register their names with the council as soon as possible - and by Tuesday May 1 at the latest (see panel). This is to ensure that the correct number of badges can be ordered from the Veterans Agency.

This year’s celebration will come a day before the nation’s official Armed Forces Day on June 30. A special flag will also be flown outside Fenland Hall for a week, from June 22-30. Other events to mark Armed Forces Day will be held all over the country around the same time.

Councillor Michael Humphrey, FDC’s chairman, said: “This is the third time we will have organised this event. On both previous occasions we have had a wonderful and very moving day with a great turnout.

“The armed forces serve the nation and the world not only in times of war but also through their peacekeeping and humanitarian work and in emergency operations such as search and rescue.

“All those who serve in them have earned everyone’s respect and gratitude for their work and this is a very public way of showing it. It will be a privilege to be able to host it this year.”