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?

mgfm I hope your DHs deployment goes smoothly, and you've got support near by to help? Is his squadron/company/insert service equivalent here any good at looking after spouses left behind? Community days or anything of the like?

I took that back though Flossy and admitted I was incorrect in my assumption that all councils did as little as ours. I don't believe councils are setting it up as a recruitment drive, no, but I do believe the ethos of the day is recruitment productive.

Ryan I'm sure they didn't lie. Just like they mean it when I'm told "don't worry Mrs Iseesheep, I promise it's only 6 months this time". We all know how that works out don't we! And unless you've had the information from the horses mouth and not sanitised by your other half, don't take it as read.

Beserious, Mogul - thank you.

He is flying out to join a mine hunter in the gulf. We are both serving so I feel that probably puts me in a better position than most civilian spouses as I can visualise him, where he is, what he is doing etc

Very outing but I am on maternity leave at be moment but I have a good support network locally and back to work in 4 months which will break the deployment into manageable chunks.

I don;t think its about recruitment either.

I think we should have a day in honour of all the men and women who potentially put their lives in danger to keep us safe.

I see your point sheepy and I empathise but it's hardly comparable. What do they get out of lying about that compared to lying about the length of a tour? I get we have opposing views but are you really trying to call my husband and his COC liars? What motivation could they possible have for that? We have opposing opinions, we don't need to tear strips off people, calling my DP an idiot and a liar. Big clap for you ladies.

My dh alternates between shore job/sea draft. We have been very lucky to have had 3 years together bar a few weeks here and there. Squeezed in two babies into his one shore draft lol

Ryan its a shame your council does not do more and suprising if you are in a AF city/town. My city has strong AF links and we have recruitment offices for all 3 so recruitment is promoted all year round.

And I would be more than happy for there to be a fire fighter day or national police service day or something like that.

I didn't call your husband or his COC liars or idiots. I said further up the thread that it could well be personal opinion.

You've been very busy MGFM! Total respect to you because DH left before the childbearing began, purely because it wasn't something either of us thought we could do with young children.

I'm glad you've got something to break the monotony.

That's good going MGFM ! My DH was in as well and in 7 years we managed 2 years actually living together, for a year he had an 8 hour commute on a Friday!
Maybe that's why our marriage has survived!

@Iseesheep it was another poster who called her husband an idiot, which somewhat cheapened her argument that would have had more merit had it been delivered by someone capable of behaving like an adult.

Ryan i dont think sheepy was calling your DP a liar. I think she was saying you take what COs say with a pinch of salt.

I have seen the top army brass stand in front of 2000 people and tell them that they have a good support programme for those with PTSD.......i know first hand thats a damn lie. They are not always truthful. Sad but true.

Yes be you think i am a child. You have mentioned it once or twice now.

Do you want to move on or are you just going to keep repeating yourself?

YABU

We haven't always been this lucky with our drafts. But def the past few years have worked out nicely for us.

Gladly: I think you've got the point now. Should add that I didn't call you a child because I'm not in the habit of name calling but I did suggest you were behaving in that way.

I have not got the point. Christ do you think you are my mum

I dont care what your opinion is of me. I dont know you. You are random stranger who thinks shes the boss of the thread.

You didnt like my comment. Fine.
You then kept repeating your upset at my comment in some weird superior fashion and now its just tedious.

Keeping doing it if thats what makes you happy dear.

I became a military wife just before the second gulf war. I lived in military quarters in a predominantly military town. Dh was sent away and was front line for a good while at the start of the war. The majority of wives around me had husbands away and those that didn't often felt guilty that they had their husbands home with them. The abuse that came from civilians was dreadful, both in our town and elsewhere. Those that had children had stories of civilian children telling their military children that their dads were murderers. It was a dreadful time. Any positive change in the way the military is perceived has to be a good thing. Those years were dreadful for me and I would hate to think of women still being put through that just because of the job their husbands do. Any support would have been welcome. Serving in the military is far more than a job, it's a way of life and I wish more people understood what it's like to live that lifestyle. It is hard and there are so many dark and sad times it makes me so sad to think how unsupported troops and their families are and I only hope things have improved since dh retired 5 years ago.

Abuse towards the Armed Forces is still alive and well. My son was told last weekend that his father would most likely come home in a body bag. That was from another child.

MGFM I hope the next 6/7 months quickly for you.

I've been told DH is a trained killer. That was nice. He's been an aircraft engineer in the RAF for over 30 years.

You're right to some extent @Iseesheep - if I had a pound for every time I was asked why my husband was in the AF when 'he'll probably have his legs blown off' I'd be rich. However, I think the collective national opinion of the AF definitely improved about 10-11 years ago when Help for Heroes was launched.

I think it's such a shame that people in this country are abusive to any of our armed forces, I've read about a lad going to funeral was spat on because he was wearing a uniform, I then look at americans who are so proud of the armed forces, there is a big sign outside mco airport (Orlando) saying thank you for your service, they thank veterans and serving personnel at most parks i.e Disney sea world it puts this country to shame

sheep your poor son.