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?

.....and Jeremy Corbyn actually wants to increase size of armed forces with more ships and planes.

In what way was Afghanistan protecting our national freedoms? Were they threatening to invade us? Must have missed that.

My fil was a fireman and I am feel just the same about the job he did. It make no mistake,he joined the fire brigade 40 years ago because of the pay and the very generous pension which he enjoys now

Runny wtaf!!! How are you actually operating through life on a day to day basis? If you think the last time our freedoms need protecting was WW2! I think the fact people don't think the armed forces deserve a day honouring them is insulting them, yes the last few weeks have shown the police and fire firefighters doing an amazing job! And have been very rightly praised, But teachers???!! In no way should they be compared? Doctors and nurses? Yes they have amazing skill and dedication for which I am grateful, but not comparable imo. By asking me if I'm ill, I assume you mean having a mental illness? I actually am quite insulted that you have used that in a derogatory sense! But I guess that's the sort of person you are. Why don't you use your energy to actually make a difference and start your own emergency services day????

Whilst my husband was serving in the USA last year he had a little girl approach him in Walmart and say, "Thank you for your service, Sir." US personnel serving in the U.K. aren't allowed to be in uniform off base. Kinda says a lot!

Did you sleep through 9/11? Terrorists who were based in Afghanistan, supported and hidden my a horrible oppressive regime attacked our friend and ally. Thousands of innocent people died which was an arrack on our way of life, our values. Our friend and ally asked us to stand with them to bring to justice those responsible. We of course said yes. The actual campaign was poorly thought out with little thought about what to do once the taliban were out etc but the reasons behind it were solid as far as I am concerned.

Would you just have told he US they were on their own????? Would you just have left the terrorists, who clearly had be means, to carry out more attaxks? Maybe in London? They had to go! The taliban were offered money to hand bin laden over. They refused.

Apologies for all the typos.

Let me Google that for you Runny

www.gov.uk/government/publications/uks-work-in-afghanistan/the-uks-work-in-afghanistan

Max did you even bother to read that post before commenting. Ive not said anything about you having a mental illness ffs. Where on earth have you got that from? And I'm still wondering what on earth the nativity has to do with any of this?

Without teachers none of us would be able to read and write. I think that makes them pretty important in the general scheme of things

I think teachers and HMF can rub along together quite well without the need for a pissing competition. The ratio of teacher married to Army Officer is testament to that!

And without binmen, without electricians, without etc etc. Everyone has their place in society. And we should be grateful for very Ones contribution. Armed forces Day just goes that bit future to say thanks to the 150 or so thousand people who choose to spend their lives in the service of their country and all of the sacrifice that comes with that. Not everyone joins up with that at the forefront of their thoughts but it is nonetheless what they are there to do. And we need people to do it!!!

Yes, everyone has their place in society. The point I'm making is why do certain sections of society (and the media) get so worked up about people not worshipping the armed forces?

Not that I could care whether or not there's an Armed Forces Day but it's probably something to do with bin men and teachers not having to put themselves, quite literally, in the firing line. I could be wrong though.

No one expects or wants worship. But equally the don't want disdain. Quiet appreciation would be fine.

I agree with the basic premise of the title here- I don't understand the point of 'Armed Forces Day' in the most literal sense, what is they would want people to do/say/be involved in? Is it a charity day? Recruitment? Celebrating armed forces?

I think Help for Heroes is a lot simpler- it's clear that whatever the cause, and however much large swathes of people in the Uk did not agree with that cause, that those fighting and injured and those widowed should be properly compensated for their sacrifice (and pretty disgusting this has to be done via charity).

The confusion over 'Armed Forces Day' is just what it's about, it's not clear, and given many people's ambiguous or downright opposition to certain armed forces campaigns, wars, in recent memory, any generic day is going to be less supported. It also appears to be asking for unambiguous support, that armed forces are always 'a good thing' and this is not clear either.

I do remember going as a child to Army and Navy Days down in Plymouth to see the military ships and it was very exciting. The main point seemed to be to give access to the public to ships/military tanks etc that they wouldn't have otherwise got to see and show the workings of the modern Navy (some tanks/other equipment were there too). That's different than having a lot of stalls 'promoting' the armed forces and charities in a town centre, which I think is a bit odd.

We're all out of cash (and spare service personnel) to be doing huge great open days. Sadly.

maybe celebrating these sorts of things could be made mandatory

it's so counterproductive otherwise when some citizens publically disagree

Let's all remember our brave boys gave their lives so that we would have the freedom to toe the line and not dissent

One difference, as I see it, is that there are very few sections of the press/society who think that Firefighters/Dictors/Teachers shouldn't be unequivocally praised for the job they do.

Yes, certain people may slag off teachers who complain about their working hours or firefighters about their shift patterns.. but I don't think whole sections of society think like this.

Their motives for joining aren't regularly called into question, they aren't called baby killers regularly, and they don't come in for the same level of 'well, they knew what they were getting into so they, and their families, should just put up and shut up'. I honestly think some people wear their derision for the Armed Forces as a badge on honour.

So, no... I don't have a problem with there being 'one day for them'. Especially when you look at the death and injury rates. Thank God they do volunteer. The alternative is a horrible thought.

Oh, and one other thing. A PP mentioned not even knowing about Armed Forces Day. I'll wager a great number of other people didn't either. Hardly being shoved down people's faces, is it?

maybe celebrating these sorts of things could be made mandatory

Umm... no. Just, no.

I've never understood people's hatred for patriotism in this country. We have one in our area every year. The kids love it, they get to see it all first hand, talk to the soldiers, it's about showing the boys and girls of our armed forces we stand with them. We may not agree with what they are sent to do., but they have a very hard job and often come home forever changed. It's about becoming one, and supporting them.

Quiet appreciation would be fine.

Why?

Quiet appreciation would be fine.

Why?

QED.

Runny you asked if I was seriously ill!!!!! You know exactly what you were inferring! Quite frankly I'm teaching my son to read and write more effectively than his teacher at the moment, so probably not a great example in my personal circumstances😜

I'm not going to disrupt their day, or attack those wishing to celebrate it

I'll be damned if I ever celebrate it myself. I will avoid any 'festivities' to the best of my ability.

It seems kind of deranged that some people are insistent that all must worship and be grateful to the military. I'm not, and never will be for a variety of reasons that aren't relevant. Can't you just have your day and leave other alone?

And vice versa.