Luke Myer MP has paid tribute to serving personnel, veterans and military families after joining Armed Forces Day events today (Saturday 27 June).
Luke has long supported the Redcar & Cleveland event, and this year joined the annual Armed Forces Day parade, walking alongside veterans, serving personnel and cadets through Redcar town centre before taking part in the civic ceremony at the King Edward VII Memorial Clock.
Alongside Redcar MP Anna Turley and local representatives, he joined the raising of the Colours, the Last Post, the two-minute silence and the National Anthem before the parade marched on through the High Street.
Later that morning, Luke also visited Middlesbrough’s Armed Forces Week community event at Hemlington Community Hub. The weekend followed another Middlesbrough event earlier in the week, when Luke attended the re-signing of the Armed Forces Covenant at Middlesbrough Town Hall. The Covenant brings together councils, employers and community organisations in a shared commitment to ensure serving personnel, veterans and military families are treated fairly and are not disadvantaged because of their service.
Supporting veterans has been a consistent priority for Luke since entering Parliament. He has repeatedly pressed ministers on veterans’ housing (Hansard, November 2024; May 2025; July 2025), mental health (Hansard, December 2024; January 2025; April 2025) and employment (Hansard, May 2025), and last year brought the Veterans Minister to Teesside to hear directly from local veterans and support organisations, helping inform the Government’s new veterans strategy and local initiatives such as the new Morgan House project in East Cleveland.
The Labour Government has begun delivering a renewed package of support for the Armed Forces community, including the biggest Armed Forces pay rise in more than 20 years, bringing thousands of military homes back into public ownership through a new Defence Housing Strategy, creating the first independent Armed Forces Commissioner and launching the new VALOUR network to provide joined-up support for veterans in housing, health and employment.
Luke Myer MP said:
“On Armed Forces Day, we honour all who serve: personnel, reservists, veterans, cadets, and families. It was great to join the Redcar & Cleveland festivities today – thank you to everyone involved.
“I’m proud that we’re beginning to renew the contract through better support for veterans and service families, but there is much more to do. The gratitude we show on Armed Forces Day should be matched by practical action throughout the rest of the year, and I’ll continue working to make sure that’s the case.”
Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, Cllr Alec Brown, said:
“Armed Forces Day reflects the deep respect and appreciation we hold for those who serve and have served our country.
“It is inspiring to see our communities come together in such strong support, and this event highlights the important role we all play in recognising the contribution of our Armed Forces.”