In light of today's events in Woolwich..

[rainbowfeet]

Can I please request if it is your desire to do so to support Armed forces day this year.. Events take place in most major towns.
Don't want this post to turn into a political or race thing but a peaceful show of support to our armed forces would be great.

[jcscot]

Can I say that I can't abide Armed Forces Day? It's PR twaddle dreamt up by previous govt to try and hide the fact that they'd broken the Military Covenant. I'd far rather they poured the money into supporting injured personnel - it's disgraceful that charities are having to pick up the slack on this. They could provide decent housing, stop operational overstretch or pay a good wage to junior ranks. At least there has been some investment in kit recently but not enough.

[HeySoulSister]

has it been confirmed it was actually a soldier who died....have the MOD spoken yet?

[MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel]

I think although this is well intentioned its in quite poor taste at this point in time.

You could have asked for people to support the day without using this poor lads murder to do it.

[rainbowfeet]

While I agree totally that it should not fall on charity to support out armed forces once injured or after they have left, you could say the same about many worthy causes, sadly there is not enough money to go round! (If you believe what the government say)!! So any occasion where money can be made via collection or merchandise for such a cause should be supported!!

[HeySoulSister]

money? you are thinking of money...

[rainbowfeet]

Why is it poor taste??? The help for Hero's website online shop has crashed are all the thousands of people attempting to buy merchandise doing that in poor taste or with anything other than good intensions??
I simply wanted to remind people there is such a day if they feel it is what they would like to do to show respect & support!!!

[rainbowfeet]

Money? No I'm thinking of people if they so wish showing support to our troops if they feel they would like too, if they don't then don't!!!

[MissyMooandherBeaverofSteel]

Why is it poor taste to use the horrific death of a young man which happened only hours ago to try and drum up support for a cause that you don't know his family would want people to support in his name? Really

You could have made this thread without bringing him into it at all.

[jcscot]

As I said, I'd rather people badgered their MPs to make defence issues a priority. Armed Forces Day just encourages people to think that if they watch a nice parade and drop a pound in an RBL or Help for Heroes tin they've supported the Forces.

Yes, they have supported them but not in a way that would make a government shoulder its responsibilities.

I do think that Armed Forces Day can be fun to watch etc but I'd rather support the Forces all year round than on one govt-ordained day.

(I make an exception for Remembrance Day as that's a different kettle of fish.)

[rainbowfeet]

Nah still can't see the poor taste connection. This was an act of terrorism & I'm sure like myself many people in this country would like to stand together in solidarity against such things everyday & every armed forces day & Remembrance Sunday but in particular this one being as if it is happening so close to today's incident. I stated I wasn't making any kind of statement but once again reminding people that there is such a day coming up soon in case they didn't know!!
No need for people to make political statements or attack me.

[jcscot]

I think there is a need to make political statements about the parlous state of Defence Policy - on any given day. I know that money is tight and that the govt have to prioritise but if they wish to continue to project military might as they have done in the past, then they need to stump up the cash or they need to rein in their ambitions.

I just wish they'd spend the money needed and stop expecting charities to fill the gaps.

[rainbowfeet]

Agreed as I said before but there are so many causes that shouldn't need to fund raise but do because the government don't give them enough.. We have a health lottery in this country to try to plug the shortfall in the NHS ffs!!
Maybe I am too different from the average mumsnetter, I am a working class woman from the East End. I'm patriotic not racist, might not be educated enough to always word things correctly but I would never mean to cause offense to anyone (ESP the family if the lad murdered today) but if admin feel that is what I've done then remove but let's just see how many other people like me turn out to show support as I will be.