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?

@ilovegin112 up until my DH left 2 years ago, it was deemed as unsafe to go anywhere in uniform and we were located on the largest garrison in the UK! Sad but true.

My husband was in uniform filling up his hire car one day, went in to pay and the cashier guy said he wouldn't serve him. He changed his mind pretty quickly when he realised that he'd be 60 quids worth of diesel down! Now, that cashier really was an idiot.

Even I agree with your terminology there @Iseesheep

Last year DS1 went to America with his regiment. He used his MOD 90 as ID to buy drinks. Everyone said "thank you for your service, sir". He got embarrassed, he doesn't even serve the USA. Their attitude is so different. So many shops give military discount.

Here people get fucked off they have a day to honour them and a free Toby Carvery.

My DH didn't like it when I wore my uniform in public. Especially when I was pregnant. The advice and guidance on wearing uniform in public has gone back and forth over the last few years. It isn't really practical to travel in civvies and get changed every day.

My son is an officer in the military. He chose his career as an adventurous 18 year old. He couldn't then have imagined seeing his peers dying just a year later. He has seen and experienced things that will live with him for the rest of his life. The same is true of all the lads and lasses serving so that we can remain free and protected. He is well paid but has significant work related expenses too.
Is one day of recognition and approval too much?

My 7 year old sees the point in Armed Forces Day, he has his police outfit out as his real police belt out, he has also saved up his last 3 months pocket money to attend the event.

I'd post a photo however it would be identifying, me and his Dad have took the day off work specifically for him, he's so excited he's Only just gone to bed 40 mins ago

As an adult I can't believe how ignorant you sound, even my little boy who dreams of being an armed police officer is more up to date in today's world

at the thought of appreciating the armed forces being a right wing agenda. Can't stand this lefty allergy to any kind of patriotism. You're bloody lucky you live in a country with a good armed forces that protects you. Too right there should be a day to celebrate them. And there IS an emergency workers day.

Totally off subject but Ryanstartedthefire - such a great name

Thefairycaravan agree about different attitudes to the military in the U.S. when I was there we were at a show and they asked any military personnel past or present to stand and make themselves known. My kids pushed me to stand up and the cheering and clapping for us was like nothing I have ever known. There were big screens up and they were putting us up on the screens. It made me cry a bit actually.

at the thought of appreciating the armed forces being a right wing agenda.

Well its the right wing papers that are complaining that Corbyn didnt suitably genuflect to the armed forces. You can appreciate people without doing at set piece events.

Can't stand this lefty allergy to any kind of patriotism.

Interesting that the armed forces are what you associated patriotism with.

You're bloody lucky you live in a country with a good armed forces that protects you.

I would be absolutely delighted if that is only what our armed forces did. The political decisions to send soldiers to die as some kind of military intervention in places that posed no direct threat means I think they, and we, as a country are bloody unlucky. Especially since we are so bad at it that we let groups like ISIS rise out of the places we have reduced to rubble.

Too right there should be a day to celebrate them.

Indeed. But forcing people to attend that celebration is to attack the freedoms that they are apparently dying for.

Whos has been forced to attend that celebration?

scottishdiem

Patriotism - Having or expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one's country.

I think British Armed Forces are the very definition of patriotism actually!

Flossy. Nobody of course but that poster wouldn't have been able to shoehorn in the old 'attack the freedoms people die for' line if no-one's being forced!

I am not sure other than recruitment. However in brum it meant the Britain first demo was completely eclipsed by lovely old chaps in smart attire and medals, marching bands and even what must be the most landlocked sea scouts in the uk 😂
That's enough of a reason !

Helen i thought only my very land locked city had sea scouts
There are 6 of them and the sea dog who runs it is 91 years young. Its good to know there are others.

Really sad to read this thread. My dad was in the services. I'm not going to talk about the sacrifices he and the family made. Unless you've been in it you don't get it.

I'm glad there's something though.

If it was giant, militaristic parades with tanks going down the Mall I would get it but it's nothing like that.

Also I love the sea scouts in land locked cities. Fantastic.

Acknowledge those that are prepared to give up their lives for their country?

Heaven forbid

"Unless you've been in it, you don't get it".

Exactly. This thread deeply saddens me too. Some of the comments including the OP are unbelievable actually.

There was a small gathering in the local town yesterday morning - just a few soldiers were there and a couple of cars it seemed low key. I wasnt aware it was a national thing to be honest.

It's a really tricky one with the armed forces. It seems as if recently the army has been 'adopted' by right wing types who use the sacrifices that these young blokes make to push their own horrid agenda, a bit like the poppy has been a bit tainted in this way.

Corbyn is a pacifist, everyone knows that, so he probably isn't going to be out there wanking himself into a frenzy over images of war. However, I think he has acknowledged the day with suitable respect.

The fact is, the majority of the front line fodder (and I'm not using this term myself, that is how they are seen by those in power) are young men who don't have that many other options in life. And then when the shit hits the fan and they return messed up physically or mentally, they don't get the help that they deserve from the people who sent them to war in the first place. Certain groups then exploit this fact and blame immigrants for this.

Having said that, 'Armed Forces Day' isn't pointless because I don't think it's like many other jobs out there and these men literally put their lives on the line for their job.

OP I totally agree with you, but you will be ripped to shreds for voicing it!

OP I have no words.

As far as I can tell the last time our freedom was protected by our armed services was in 1939. Since then wars have been fought to either a)defend businesses, b) some random island off the coast of Argentina, c) remove 'unfriendly' dictators to protect our own self interest (such as oil) d) in some rare cases worthwhile battles to protect the welfare of others (Kosovo).

Our armed forces don't need a day to be celebrated. They're already hero worshipped for doing their jobs.