Well that sums it up. Armed Forces Day?
Mnice and somehow appropriate. If you've served your country for 'X' years, then show some pay back. Travel, concessions, whatever. Given the outrageous travel claims of our sitting Members of Parliament (Hallo Nose, this is Trough, over.), I don't think the odd bus pass is having a laugh.
Stateside, most of the time it's private companies who take the view that they like their own country and those who volunteer to protect it. True, volunteer to be a soldier, and expect to die. You made the choice. But it's hardly well paid. True also, you could have been a construction worker for the same money. But that's that's not the same because a construction worker can say no.
The United States population has a far better general regard for the men and women that serve to protect it. It is a humbling example to Europe and Britain in particular that has a martial tradition whereby someone in your extended family served in some branch of the military.
I'm afraid we're losing that connection in the UK, look at the current debates about uniform in public.
A great pity. The House of Commons has fewer people who once served in the Armed Forces and it shows.