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?

"I'd rather he cared about young people which is why he was at Glastonbury".

Whoever said this, what do you think most soldiers are if not young people fgs? BIL was 22 when he lost his lower leg. DH was never injured but he'd had seen some things at a young age that most people could not imagine in their worst nightmare.

What the hell has JC trying to ride his current popularity wave and pretending he's a rock star got to do with anything? Do you think people who have lost family members give a hoot about the whereabouts if JC or any other politician? Do they care about Glastonbury? This thread is a joke.

For the exact same reasons why I appreciate the police, fire brigade, ambulance workers, NHS etc. I appreciate what they do, I hope they appreciate what we do.

God forbid we ever find ourselves under attack - I bet you would have no problem appreciating the soldier laying down his life for yours!!! That's why!!!!!!!!!!

There's already International Nurses Day Runny. We make a big thing of it in our family because DS2 is a student nurse. He would have loved to have joined the armed forces, like DH, DS1 and BIL, but unfortunately he's a severe asthmatic and has hypermobility.

I've been in hospital on International Nurses Day. Every ward got a huge cake, there was bunting and banners up, and a lot of fuss was made.

This isn't career or deserving top trumps. The armed forces isn't a job choice it's a lifestyle choice. My children went to 5 or 6 schools and have lived in 8 or 9 houses. They've had birthdays, Christmases, Easters, holidays, sports days, school plays and many other things without their dad being in the country. When they get asked where they come from, they answer "nowhere really."

I really don't understand why you're so bitter about there being one day where they are honoured. It had absolutely no impact on your life whatsoever.

I know that the discussion has moved on.

However, I'm in Liverpool and we've (lifelong Labour supporters) have all been disappointed by the absence of the leader and top dogs in the Labour Party, starting with voting to leave the EU. The old Labour big guns would be out and about, in pubs etc.

Liverpool was seen as the grass roots of the party and people don't like how that is changing.

He should have been there as Leader of the opposition. He is losing support because of incidents like this. Ideology is fine, but you've got to have a foot in the real world and the impression that you give. There is a general lack of gratitude across our society for those that commit their working life to keeping us all safe and also entitlement. There should be an example set by those in prominent positions.

We should honour people who save our lives whilst risking theirs.

We do have an Emergency Services Day. Fireman Sam was even there, so there would be something for the children.

Can't you just have your day and leave other alone?

I think you'll find they did.

I hardly think they are leaving others alone when post after post decries people who aren't celebrating this day, berating them, or trying to prove how necessary such a day is

Fine, it's necessary to you so enjoy. there is no power on earth that will make me celebrate it, and that is just how it is.

people are actually permitted to not all think that the same way, why not let go of your need to compel the beliefs of others, you may find it quite liberating

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

Except the 9/11 terrorists came from Saudi Arabia....

A horrible and oppressive regime that the US and the UK sell weapons to.

They were Saudi nationals but they were in Afghanistan.

I hardly think they are leaving others alone when post after post decries people who aren't celebrating this day

This thread was started by someone moaning about AFD. Are you honestly suggesting that we shouldn't have commented on it and just "left them alone"?

I've heard it all now!

I need to leave this thread now. My husband deployed yesterday for 7 months so I am probably quite emotional right now and never going to see someone else's point when they think his job doesn't deserve any more recognition than a 9-5 mon-fri office job.

Is it moaning now to ask what a holiday is intended to celebrate?

Oh.

everyone's husband can have all the recognition they fancy. From others who want to give it. But not ever from me.

I am not and will never be grateful. enjoy your armed services day.

I am not and will never be grateful

I'm grateful we have the Armed Forces.
And the police
The NHS
Fire brigade
Teachers
Journalists
MPs
Aid workers

People who do try and make this world a better place and who try to stand up for what's right - sometimes at considerable danger to life and limb, sometimes not.

There's special days for Avocados and the like so I think the Armed Forces should get in on it too!

I'm going to say my little bit here but if you actually speak to any soldier in the armed forces and ask them about armed forces day, 9 out of 10 of them will just say that they only like that day because we get a free Toby carvery! Remembrance day is a day for soldiers past and present who have died in all conflicts. I think some people on this thread need to step back from this discussion and just take a breather. MGFM my heart goes out to you and your family. I hate how long I'm away from my family too but he'll be hating just as much as you are!

My husband is currently on tour for the next 6 months missing exam time, 18th birthdays and countless other milestones. It'll take more than the frigging Armed Forces Day 'celebrations' to make up for that!! I don't care whether anyone takes part or not, agrees with it or not so don't lump me in with your 'decry-ers', but I can see why some closely connected can get a bit baity.

I didn't have anything to do with the day but it's doing no one any harm so leave them to it without trying to push other agendas on the back of it.

I didn't ask if you were seriously ill Max. Can you quite the post where I did?

the way I look at it it's recognition and thank you to them. Plenty of people risk there live in there professions but think the milatry is top of the list

I bet you would have no problem appreciating the soldier laying down his life for yours!!! That's why!!!!!!!!!!

I appreciate the men who were drafted and used as cannon fodder.

The army is a career choice nowadays. Why should I worship someone who chooses to leave their family behind for months on end. Who chooses to fight in battle should the need arise.

I am very sorry that your husbands job he chose, takes him away from his family, but that is his choice.

Again, I will reiterate, I think it is disgusting the way soldiers are treated on their return to civvy street and should be looked after by the government and not charities, but it is a choice, where the upshot is possible injury or death.

Do they choose to put their countrys protection above that of looking after their family?

Or did they join as young, vulnerable men and were signed up for x amount of years before they were allowed to leave?

In my case the Army was in my husband's life before I was. He has two priorities in his world, his family and his job. If he didn't do what he did he wouldn't be the person I married and he wouldn't be the stellar father that he is to my two kids. I'm proud of him. He does so so much good in his own small way around the world and that won't stop when he leaves after 35 years.

I can still take or leave AFD though!

Donald - can you not see that someone has to do his job. He is spending the next 7 month ensuring that food, oil etc can move safely around the World. If he doesn't do that - are you going to instead?

Fire brigade is a choice as well . I still appreciate what they do though, same with teachers. I also appreciate my bin men. So why can you not find some sympathy and feeling for people that do a job that you won't do so that you can live in peace with a steady supply of fuel for your car, food etc etc

if that really was all working in the armed services entailed, maybe fewer people would take issue with celebrating their work

I would also balk at celebrating firemen, if, in addition to putting out fires, sometimes they also dropped bombs covered in depleted uranium which poisoned the earth where they fell and sent the incidence of rare cancers, especially in children skyrocketing

YANBU - I don't get it.

I have no issue with AFD. Anyone like the pp who thinks JC is 'for the young' clearly doesn't understand that the Armed Forces are full of young people. And thank goodness for them, because if there were insufficient volunteers, we'd be back to national service for every young adult.

I don't think people should be bashed because they don't attend an event to celebrate AFD.

I don't think people should be bashed if they don't wear a poppy.