KIlkeel Sea Cadets were among the many from across Northern Ireland taking part in Armed Forces Day.
All roads led to County Antrim this month as thousands of troops, veterans and families converged on Ballymena, Carrickfergus and Larne to mark Armed Forces Day, hosted by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council.
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Helping to raise interest and membership for their recently formed and already highly popular Kilkeel Sea Cadet Unit are, from left, Chloe Flood, Natalie Wallace, Alex Moffett and Annabel Lowden, all from Kilkeel.[/caption]
In Carrickfergus, teenage Sea Cadets raised the flag which launched the weekend of pageantry as the Band of the Royal Marines (Scotland) welcomed two Royal Navy vessels into the harbour and the town celebrated with a maritime-focused event along its seafront.
The attention then shifted to Ballymena’s Showgrounds which was packed with exhibition, excitement and display, culminating with the traditional military ceremony of Beating a Retreat. The weekend concluded in Larne with a reflective church service with military music and tri-service Senior Military Representation.
Playing their part in the stunningly choreographed displays and adding youthful enthusiasm to the weekend of excitement were Cadets from across Northern Ireland, all on a mission to recruit others into one of the country’s leading and longest established youth organisations.
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