Armed Forces Day
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Armed Forces Day
I would like to wish all deployed UK Armed Forces a happy and safe Armed Forces Day ...
I'm sure there are many who will echo ...
Coff.
I'm sure there are many who will echo ...
Coff.
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I'm interested to know how many people who have no connection to the armed forces even knew it was armed forces day?
From my experience, support for the armed forces is only within a few miles of a unit. Go further afield to civvy street in a big city and I don't see or hear any support. It's a different world.
From my experience, support for the armed forces is only within a few miles of a unit. Go further afield to civvy street in a big city and I don't see or hear any support. It's a different world.
I'm interested to know how many people who have no connection to the armed forces even knew it was armed forces day?
........instead I believe the great unwashed should recognise 365 'Armed Forces Days' per annum - and an extra one in every leap year.
Last edited by BEagle; 29th Jun 2013 at 15:41.
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I think it's a fantastic idea and long may it continue. To all HM Forces personnel at home and abroad, old and new - cheers
Fair bit going on in here gr4techie, I'm sure must be similar across the UK
BBC News - Armed Forces Day marked in Scotland
BBC News - Armed Forces Day marked in Scotland
Last edited by TomJoad; 29th Jun 2013 at 16:41.
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1. With a dwindling presence it is ever more important to raise and maintain the profile of the Armed Forces. It won't be long before the likes of the ATC organisation follows suit and then we will need every opportunity to inspire the future generation.
2. If the Armed Forces are out of public conciousness then the politicians get to play fast and loose. I doubt that Westminster's new found interest in the "military covenant" would not have been so had it not been for public interest in the fallen and wounded returning from Afghanistan.
Don't get me wrong, I do agree with your sentiments but as our forces shrink I think we need to shout all the louder to maintain the profile.
Last edited by TomJoad; 29th Jun 2013 at 20:06.
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Yep. You're right of course TJ.
I feel humble, and a little ashamed, when I look at the intensity of conflict that has become the norm for so many of our young lads and lasses these days on the ground in Afghanistan, compared to the relatively cushy time many of my contempories had in the Cold War. Proud too.
I feel humble, and a little ashamed, when I look at the intensity of conflict that has become the norm for so many of our young lads and lasses these days on the ground in Afghanistan, compared to the relatively cushy time many of my contempories had in the Cold War. Proud too.
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Whilst concurring with all of the above comments, I don't believe the general civilian population in the UK has ever been demonstrably sympathetic of the Armed Forces since the Korean War.
The so called Small Wars, Indon Confrontation, Aden etc were not recognised as such although a price was paid. Only family and friends were really aware that there were casualties.
Since the demise of National Service a much diminished number of families therefore much fewer civilians have any direct relationship with serving members thus reducing population empathy with them.
Best wishes and stay safe lads and lasses.
The so called Small Wars, Indon Confrontation, Aden etc were not recognised as such although a price was paid. Only family and friends were really aware that there were casualties.
Since the demise of National Service a much diminished number of families therefore much fewer civilians have any direct relationship with serving members thus reducing population empathy with them.
Best wishes and stay safe lads and lasses.
Yesterday I drove from Worcester across to Stratford, then down through the Cotswolds to Cirencester then across to pick up the M5 near Stroud.
It is an area I have hardly visited since I was at Gaydon in 1969. All along the route I saw signs to places I recognised from those days - Pershore, Gaydon, Little Rissington, Kemble, South Cerney, all former RAF stations open in 1969 - all closed (or effectively closed) now. You could repeat this experience in many other parts of the country, where once you were always within easy reach of a service establishment, most are long since closed.
The fact is apart from featuring on the news from Afghanistan, in most parts of the country our much reduced armed forces are all but invisible to the general public. Armed Forces day is a great idea, and I'm all for making the focus of events somewhere other than London for a change, as the biggest event was in Nottingham.
It is an area I have hardly visited since I was at Gaydon in 1969. All along the route I saw signs to places I recognised from those days - Pershore, Gaydon, Little Rissington, Kemble, South Cerney, all former RAF stations open in 1969 - all closed (or effectively closed) now. You could repeat this experience in many other parts of the country, where once you were always within easy reach of a service establishment, most are long since closed.
The fact is apart from featuring on the news from Afghanistan, in most parts of the country our much reduced armed forces are all but invisible to the general public. Armed Forces day is a great idea, and I'm all for making the focus of events somewhere other than London for a change, as the biggest event was in Nottingham.
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Nottingham was heaving as I popped in to look at a new TV, they had the weather for it though....
Shame it's on a weekend as it ties the guys up on their day off
Shame it's on a weekend as it ties the guys up on their day off
I spent all day at the Armed Forces Day event in Nottingham.
As one who has never been enlisted in the military I thought it was an excellent showcase for the armed forces and I left having a much bigger appreciation for what they do.
As I walked round the marquee where all the various charities were represented I was eternally thankful for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice (not to mention those injured in any way) in fighting for our freedom.
I was also impressed by the professionalism and cheerfulness of all those involved.
As one who has never been enlisted in the military I thought it was an excellent showcase for the armed forces and I left having a much bigger appreciation for what they do.
As I walked round the marquee where all the various charities were represented I was eternally thankful for those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice (not to mention those injured in any way) in fighting for our freedom.
I was also impressed by the professionalism and cheerfulness of all those involved.