The Armed Forces of Malta will be presented with new Colours during a Trooping the Colour Parade on Friday which will highlight an Open Day at Luqa Barracks.

Some 180 soldiers will be taking part in the parade, making it one of the biggest in recent years. All units of the AFM will be represented.

The barracks will be open for visits between 5p.m. and 11p.m. during which the AFM will display its weapons, vehicles and equipment. The parade starts at 7 p.m.

The open day will mark the 44th anniversary since the Armed Forces of Malta were constituted.  

The AFM Public Information Cell has prepared a 15-minute documentary on Malta’s military history from the middle ages to date to mark the anniversary.

The open day will feature various displays including an urban assault demo by specialised soldiers from the 1st Regiment C ‘Special Duties’ Company and the 3rd Regiment Explosive Ordnance Disposal section.
 
The AFM Band will perform the display that was viewed by millions during its participation in the Edinburgh military tattoo in August.  

A free park and ride service will be provided from the Addolorata Cemetery car park to Luqa barracks and back.   

AFM Colours are presented by the Head of State in appreciation of a force's record of commendable service and loyalty to the nation. The new Colours will replace those presented to the AFM on May 11, 1988 following the re-amalgamation of the AFM and the Task Force. 

TROOPING THE COLOUR CEREMONY

The service involving the presentation of Colours is normally a combination of three ceremonies. The parade starts off with the trooping the Colours, where the Old Colours are trooped for the last time, and then there is the consecration service followed by the actual presentation of the New Colours.

The parade, consisting of four Guards forms three sides of a square in order for all on parade to be part of this solemn occasion. Once the parade has formed, the Drumhead detail marches out in order to pile the drums on which the Colours are laid down to be blessed.

Apart from the fact that in the 17th Century, drums were piled as a means of ensuring that they could not be beaten during a religious service, another consideration is that the drums provide a practical alternative to a formal altar.
Once the new Colour party has marched out and laid the new colours upon the drums, members of the clergy proceed to bless the colours .  

Once the Colours are blessed, the Head of State is invited to present them to the two Colour Ensigns.

The President will then declare the following:

'Twenty six years have passed since you were presented with the Colours which have just been marched off. Since then, there have been many changes in your ranks, but the spirit of the AFM has remained intact through all the challenges and dangers which you have been required to face.'

The ensigns will then march to the national anthem into the parade ranks after it reforms into line, after which a full march past by formation will follow.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.