To not understand the point of 'Armed Forces Day'?

[Runny]

I see Jeremy Corbyn is getting attacked by the right wing press yet again for going to Glastonbury (and getting a bigger crowd than Radiohead did last night) instead of attending Armed Forces Day in Liverpool.

Now pardon my ignorance but what is the actual point of 'Armed forces Day'? It sounds like the sort of thing that The Sun newspaper would campaign for, actually I wouldn't be surprised if they did. It's all a bit pointless, and we already have Rememberance Sunday to honour those killed in combat.

I don't know where this over sentimentally for the armed forces has come from over the last 15 years or so? Not saying they don't do a good job, but why are they coming in for special treatment? Why not an emergency services day, or an NHS workers day or a teachers day?

I'm prepared to get flamed for this btw, but I genuinely don't see why we even have it?

It's all a bit pointless, and we already have Rememberance Sunday to honour those killed in combat.

Maybe showing our appreciation for those who protect our freedom and our lives whilst they are still alive....?

Because for once it'd be quite nice for this country to actually appreciate what soldiers do all over the world and what they do on civvie Street aswell. The amount of abuse soldiers get off people is ridiculous and really shouldn't happen. YABU and why are you so bothered by it?

Ive never know the armed forces get abuse, far from it in my expereince.

oh dear

@libtina they do so in return for a wage. I appreciate the armed forces have a very difficult job but the sentimentality and romanticising of their role over the past decade is a bit much. I have good friends in the army and while some of them lap up this mawkishness, most of them would rather appreciation be shown in terms of people campaigning for increased funding for better equipment, higher salary and more support for those who leave the army and go into civilian life.

Yes but an arbitrary day of appreciation is not going to stop the abuse is it? Much better for the laws to be amended so that such abuse if addressed and punished more severely.

Yeah I don't see the point of Armed Forces Day either. Then again I don't see the point of Jeremy Corbyn garbling his gibberish at Glasto either. He lost the election. And this 'look how cool I am appearing at rock concerts' bollocks is starting to get old now. And he's only done it twice.

Armed forces chose their career like everyone else, and they get paid quite well for it. What about Miner's Day, Plumber's Day, Premier Inn Receptionists Day, Gardeners Day.

No more ridiculous than Armed Forces Day imo.

Well then that shows just how much you know then Runny

I think you're trying to start a fight OP.

Oh come on, seriously?

I'd rather someone cared about young people, which is why he was at Glastonbury, than another day that honours the Armed Forces.

Do we have a Firefighters Day, considering the job they just did at Grenfell?

Armed forces chose their career like everyone else, and they get paid quite well for it.

It's a good job they did because we'd be up shit creek when the firefighters and doctors, for example, go on strike.

Agree we should have fire fighters, NHS appreciation day but that wouldn't suit the regressive right agenda that wants to privatise those services.

I agree OP.

I also think it is a disgrace that when soldiers are injured, that charities need to support them. The government should fund the return of soldiers to civvy street. Finding them homes and workplace ready, or whatever is necessary to ensure they are okay.

But this IS a career of choice. People choose to join the army, knowing that there is potential for getting injured and at worst, lose their lives.

I don't agree that people just out of school should be able to join the army (not sure if this has changed nowadays), but it's a huge decision to make.

It's a day that was started in 2009 according to the Telegraph who campaigned for it.

This is what Corbyn said on his facebook page today:
"Today is Armed Forces Day, a time where we can reflect on the courage, professionalism and sacrifices of those who serve our country.

We thank our armed forces for the work they do in defending our country and the sacrifice that involves, including spending many months away from their families and loved ones.

The contribution our armed forces make is not only military. They save the lives of those in desperate situations. It was military personnel that built treatment centers and trained health workers in Sierra Leone after the Ebola outbreak.

It was military personnel, like the valiant crew of HMS Enterprise, who rescued 9,000 refugees and migrants in operations in the Mediterranean.

On days like today and when I see the sacrifice our armed forces make, I think of my friend George Durack and his experiences in the Second World War.

I think of his courage and determination to continue despite seeing friends die and knowing family at home were in constant danger.

That same courage and bravery is displayed by our armed personnel today. Despite this, they are not given the support they deserve after their service. All too often they find it difficult to secure housing, are not helped to find employment and do not have access to the mental health support that they truly deserve.

Today and every day, we have a responsibility to stand up for our Forces Community and make sure that they have the real support they need, and thank them for the sacrifices they make for our country."

Obviously I'm entirely biased, but in my own experience, the forces can be complete and utter crap. Yes it's a career you 'chose' but again, someone has to do it. And it's not just a career. It's YEARS of dragging your family around the country, starting a new life every couple of years, and never being able to make plans because they are inevitedbly buggered by exercise and being on duty or standby.

DH and I have had ONE weekend together in the last three months. Because the forces takes him away from home so often.

I'm sure forces people would love better salaries, better equipment and funding, and houses that aren't full of mould and asbestos with coubtleee structural problems. But seeing as we are unlikely to get any of that, a day where people think about the armed forces and we get a free Toby carvery isn't all that bad.

My point is, it's nice for those in the forces to be appreciated. As it is for any group of people who do a difficult job to be appreciated.

No I won't pardon your bloody ignorance. You're incredibly lucky that you've never known the Armed Forces to get abuse, I have. I've seen it. I've seen it happen to their families too.

The Armed Forces work damned hard. I'm not saying they are they only ones. But the vast majority of the public actually have not a clue about what goes on in their actual day to day working lives. It's not Monday - Friday 9-5. It's ready to go 24/7 365 days a year. DS1 has had less than 48 hours off in the last 5 weeks. He's absolutely knackered.

DP says the only point of it is recruitment. The one and only point.

I also think it is a disgrace that when soldiers are injured, that charities need to support them. The government should fund the return of soldiers to civvy street. Finding them homes and workplace ready, or whatever is necessary to ensure they are okay. This! this, this, this!
Armed forces day in our town was like a festival - so entirely inappropriate! It's a serious difficult and mind blowing job - being prepared to give up your life - yet it was being sold like it was scouting.

First of all, nobody would give a hoot if JC did show up at Armed Forces Day anyway. The man never spoke up about anything until about 2 weeks ago. Where was he when young people needed galvanising to vote Remain? Shuffling about and not even clarifying his own position on it. Now all of a sudden, he seems to think he's a icon for disenfranchised youth. Give us all a break!

OP Have you ever met anyone who has lost a limb or suffered from PTSD? Have you? Or someone who has lost a family member in Afganistan, the ME or elsewhere. DH is an ex-marine and no he doesn't need a special day, but nor do they need clueless people spouting off about something they know absolutely nothing about.

Why would anyone begrudge our armed forces a day of recognition? Seriously, why?

My husband was 20 years in the forces. I do not think they are particularly well paid. And over that time he got less and less "promised" benefits. It's not some wonderful, charmed life. Remembrance day is for people who have given their lives for the country. Armed Forces Day is to acknowledge those still serving, fighting, and willing to give up their lives for the country.

In my area, seeing the War Veterans marching together was a very humbling experience. It was worth it to see that, to explain to my children about them and remember what a good job they did/do for us.

Lol at Armed Forces don't get abuse though. I couldn't count the amount of times someone has called DP a babykiller/murderer/equally offensive term. He isn't infantry either, they get even more shit.

I live in a massive army hub town, Armed Forces Day is used as a recruitment drive so as an army family we don't acknowledge it or attend and neither does any other army families we know.

Good post Zaberwocky.

I couldn't care less if there was an AF day or not but before people try to turn it into a pissing competition between the Forces and the NHS, firefighters, miners just have a think about the fuck about factor HMF personnel and their families have to put up with. Most of us think it's worth it to see, amongst countless other things, yet another unstable country made a little more secure. We're a small country but our Armed Forces make such a difference the world over.

If you want to pop over to the Armed Forces Day stand when you're in town and have a chat with them great. If you don't, don't. They'll still be proudly and (almost uncomplainingly!) doing what they do whether you support them or not.