Armed Forces Day 2010

[schwantz 23]

Admin, would it be possible to leave this up for a day or so, or perhaps make it a sticky for maximum exposure?

There is now less than one month to go before this year's Armed Forces Day celebrations get underway. Designed to honour our Service personnel, past, present and future, the theme for Armed Forces Day is 'Show Your Support'. Could I ask everyone reading this to please try and make the effort to either attend, or show their support in some other way.

• The national event takes place on Saturday 26 June and will be hosted by Cardiff City Council. This will be complemented by over 170 community-led events in towns and cities across the UK on or around 26 June. For the full event listing and to see how you can get involved in your local event, see attached links.

• Public support for Armed Forces Day is growing every day with over 260,000 fans on the dedicated Facebook page and almost 1,300 followers on Twitter. There are lots of messages of support posted every day.

• Monday 21 June is the 'Fly the Flag' initiative where local authorities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be provided with an Armed Forces Day flag to fly in honour of the event. Commanding Officers and Heads of Establishments are encouraged to support these events where they can.

• 'Uniform to Work Day' - as part of the Armed Forces Day activities, Reservists (including Volunteer Reserve Training personnel) of all three Services are encouraged to wear their Service uniforms at their civilian place of work on Friday 25 June. In parallel with this, veterans are also encouraged to wear their HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges on the same day.

1. Armed Forces Day (AFD) will now be held annually on the last Saturday of June. Now in its second year, the aim of AFD is to boost public support and appreciation of all those who serve and have served in HM Armed Forces (serving personnel, veterans and cadets) and the contribution they have made. It is intended to build on the success of the previous Veterans Day and last year's AFD.

2. The event is also intended to embrace the wider Armed Forces Community which includes veterans such as those who served with the Merchant Marine in support of military operations during World War Two and during the Falklands conflict, family members of those serving in the Armed Forces, and the wider veterans' community, including bereaved families of those killed during military service.

Air Vice-Marshal Murray, Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel), said: "Armed Forces Day is a fantastic opportunity for the nation to show its support for the men and women of Britain's Armed Forces. This day is not just about serving personnel, it is a celebration of everyone who is involved with the Armed Forces; their families, veterans and cadets.

"I would encourage everyone in the UK to get behind our Forces and take part in one of the many events taking place across the country."

3. This year's national AFD event will be hosted by Cardiff City Council. The day will commence with a celebration parade through Cardiff city centre featuring contingents from the three Armed Forces, veterans, and cadets with standards. The parade will set out from Cardiff Castle in the heart of the city, featuring over 1,500 military personnel. After taking the salute in front of the Wales Millennium Centre, the parade will join VIPs and spectators for a Drumhead Service, which will finish with a fly-over by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

The event is free to enter, so there is no need to reserve a space or book a ticket, though a high volume of people are expected to attend.

4. A number of towns, cities and other organisations are organising events that will also take place across the UK on or around 26 June.

Events already planned include a Family Fun Day in Ross-on-Wye on 19 June, with lots to try out and look at, including an inflatable assault course, tanks and weapons of the Queen's Dragoon Guards and a tug-of-war competition.

Meanwhile, in Blackpool, a whole week of events is planned, from a '1940s tea room experience' to a concert entitled 'Music for Heroes' at Blackpool's famous Winter Gardens.

The MOD Ceremonial Events and Commemorations Team provided part-funding for those event organisers that were able to prove that their event had the potential to contribute significantly to the Department's aim for AFD. Bands and other Service display assets have been allocated to some of the larger local events to be held on 26 June. In addition, it is expected that events organisers will invite local or affiliated units to participate in their events. Such participation is encouraged, but only to the extent that unit commanders consider such involvement to be compatible with their own commitments and the demands on their personnel. The policy for engaging in these events in set out in 2010DIN09-003.

Uniform to Work Day

5. It is intended to hold a 'Uniform to Work Day' on Friday 25 June 2010. This would apply to all Service personnel who do not normally wear their uniform when on duty and it would involve encouraging Reserve Forces personnel (including Volunteer Reserve Training personnel) to wear their uniforms at their civilian place of work on Friday 25 June where this is compatible with their civilian duties and local security considerations.

In parallel with 'Uniform to Work Day' this year, veterans employed at MOD establishments are encouraged to wear their HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges on 25 June. Promoting this concept will encourage others who are eligible to apply for their Veterans Badge and raise awareness in the workplace of the valuable contribution veterans continue to make after leaving the Armed Forces. More information and details of how to apply for the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge can be found at Related www links.

Fly the Flag for our Armed Forces

6. The Devolved Administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, together with the Regional Governments in England and every local authority in the UK, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man will again be invited to fly an AFD flag during the week preceding AFD. In 2009 every local authority in Wales, England and Scotland and nearly all in Northern Ireland flew an AFD flag. They were joined by government departments, overseas territories and military bases across the world. See Related www links to view the design of the flag.

Authorities will also be invited to hold a simple flag ceremony at 1030hrs (UK Summer Time) on Monday 21 June 2010 and to fly the flag until after AFD on 26 June 2010.

It is hoped that Local Authorities will engage with veterans organisations, local service units and the Reserve Forces and Cadet Association within their area to arrange Service and cadet participation in these ceremonies; Commanding Officers and Heads of Establishment are encouraged to support these events where they can.

AFD flags can be purchased by anyone wishing to show their support by flying a flag from Zeyphyr - see Related www links.

Celebrity endorsement

7. A variety of famous names have already signed up to support the day, including 'Forces' Sweethearts' Dame Vera Lynn and Katherine Jenkins, stars such as Ray Winstone and Jason Statham, the manager of the England rugby union team, Martin Johnson, and the England World Cup football team.

Famous veterans Dame Kelly Holmes and Andy McNab are also showing their support. See Related www links to find out what other celebrities are supporting AFD.

Ways to Show Your Support

8. There are lots of easy ways to 'Show Your Support' if you are not able to attend the national event:

• There are hundreds of local and community events taking place across the UK and include street parties, parades and concerts.

• 'Fly a Flag' for Armed Forces Day. Buy through the official AFD supplier - the Zephyr Online Store.

• Follow AFD on Facebook. Post photos and leave messages of support for the Forces and veterans on the website, and on the AFD Flickr and YouTube pages.

• Register your support online and get a free AFD window sticker.

Glasgow's event takes place on Saturday 26 June and will be hosted by the The Lord Provost of Glasgow. Some 500 service personnel and veterans, will march past the City Chambers and on to George Square, where a short service will be staged at the Cenotaph, between 11:50am and 12.30pm. The service will include a presentation of veterans badges, and will include in a fly-past. The veterans and active service personnel will then make their way to a hospitality marquee on the west side of George Square for lunch - please note that access to this marquee is strictly by invitation only. The general public are most welcome to attend the service in the Square, and can enjoy displays of military hardware and fun activities from 11:00am until 4:00pm.

Contact -------- Name: Anne Galbraith Phone: 0141 287 5086 Email: anne.galbraith@glasgow.gov.uk

[BRITNEY IS NOT FEELING IT 8,293]

Thank's for all the info , we will be going to show our support in Glasgow on the 27th . :uk: :uk: :uk: :uk: :uk: :uk: :uk: :uk:

[Blue Sky Blue 0]

Big respect for this. A long overdue annual thank you to our boys and girls in the forces.

[maineflyer 2]

Armed Forces Facebook link

For those who might find this useful

[Iserdo 1]

Does anyone know if the celtic-ira scum are going to protest against this again?

[schwantz 23]

Does anyone know if the celtic-ira scum are going to protest against this again?

Almost guaranteed they will try !

[DavidCF2 29]

Does anyone know if the celtic-ira scum are going to protest against this again?

The response they got last year will maybe, just maybe have them thinking twice.

Although, I suppose any chance to play the victim is always a good thing for them.

[Iserdo 1]

Does anyone know if the celtic-ira scum are going to protest against this again?

The response they got last year will maybe, just maybe have them thinking twice.

Although, I suppose any chance to play the victim is always a good thing for them.

Aye,i remember they scumbags took a beaten last year.

That cunt marty that had his face covered in blood in the back of the meatwagon.

Shitebags the lot of them.

[DavidCF2 29]

Does anyone know if the celtic-ira scum are going to protest against this again?

The response they got last year will maybe, just maybe have them thinking twice.

Although, I suppose any chance to play the victim is always a good thing for them.

Aye,i remember they scumbags took a beaten last year.

That cunt marty that had his face covered in blood in the back of the meatwagon.

Shitebags the lot of them.

Wonder he's got planned that day?

[Iserdo 1]

Does anyone know if the celtic-ira scum are going to protest against this again?

The response they got last year will maybe, just maybe have them thinking twice.

Although, I suppose any chance to play the victim is always a good thing for them.

Aye,i remember they scumbags took a beaten last year.

That cunt marty that had his face covered in blood in the back of the meatwagon.

Shitebags the lot of them.

Wonder he's got planned that day?

Probably a day out at his local chapel

[djness 0]

Glasgow's event takes place on Saturday 27 June and will be hosted by the The Lord Provost of Glasgow. Some 500 service personnel and veterans, will march past the City Chambers and on to George Square, where a short service will be staged at the Cenotaph, between 11:50am and 12.30pm. The service will include a presentation of veterans badges, and will include in a fly-past. The veterans and active service personnel will then make their way to a hospitality marquee on the west side of George Square for lunch - please note that access to this marquee is strictly by invitation only. The general public are most welcome to attend the service in the Square, and can enjoy displays of military hardware and fun activities from 11:00am until 4:00pm.

Contact -------- Name: Anne Galbraith Phone: 0141 287 5086 Email: anne.galbraith@glasgow.gov.uk

I'm pretty sure that's the 26th schwantz

[grahamteuchter 1]

Does anyone know if the celtic-ira scum are going to protest against this again?

The response they got last year will maybe, just maybe have them thinking twice.

Although, I suppose any chance to play the victim is always a good thing for them.

Aye,i remember they scumbags took a beaten last year.

That cunt marty that had his face covered in blood in the back of the meatwagon.

Shitebags the lot of them.

Wonder he's got planned that day?

Probably a day out at his local chapel

Cant believe there are these comments already. The Armed Forces Day is about supporting our armed service men and woman. But here we go with the IRA supporting crap. They have nothing to do with this. Lets go and support our armed forces and if anything like that happens , then deal with it with dignity.

[BLUEDIGNITY 33,647]

Well one of them who won't be there is steven purcell, imagine him and jim murphy took the march past last year in George Square, absolutely disgusting. An insult to our Forces !

[JordanRangers 4]

Well one of them who won't be there is steven purcell, imagine him and jim murphy took the march past last year in George Square, absolutely disgusting. An insult to our Forces !

I remember your quote from last year "We'll awe be kerryin "

[BLUEDIGNITY 33,647]

Well one of them who won't be there is steven purcell, imagine him and jim murphy took the march past last year in George Square, absolutely disgusting. An insult to our Forces !

I remember your quote from last year "We'll awe be kerryin "

Same again this year !

[TunnyLoyal 1,136]

kerryin ahahaha

[Iserdo 1]

Does anyone know if the celtic-ira scum are going to protest against this again?

The response they got last year will maybe, just maybe have them thinking twice.

Although, I suppose any chance to play the victim is always a good thing for them.

Aye,i remember they scumbags took a beaten last year.

That cunt marty that had his face covered in blood in the back of the meatwagon.

Shitebags the lot of them.

Wonder he's got planned that day?

Probably a day out at his local chapel

But here we go with the IRA supporting crap. They have nothing to do with this.

Well they did last year and they most Probably will this year.

Are you one of these one's that just stand there and let it happen?

These cunts need to be counter protested instead of letting them ruin Armed Forces Day for

our Brave men and woman.

Grow a pair and stand against these lowlife scumbags.

[BLUEDIGNITY 33,647]

Roll call ! Who'll be there ?

[BlueIsTheColour 35]

I'll be there, should be another great occasion for our Armed Forces.

[kplfishtank 4,656]

i will be there but ive a train to catch at 12.50 so wont be able to hang about

[sandyboyblue 226]

Maximum respect to all you people out there that take some time out to honour us British Forces past and present. It means alot to us knowing we have your support (including David Beckham). Cheers lads.

[justbrowsing 0]

For Shetland Bears - the Lerwick Armed Forces Parade kicks off on Saturday 19th June at 1230.

[BLUEDIGNITY 33,647]

It'll be Armed Forces Day awright ! We'll be armed tae the teeth !

[mrtin281 0]

It was good last year in blackpool, they had a few tanks sitting around and you could go inside n screw around if you donated something lol. nice guys too.

[bluepeter 5,627]

For Shetland Bears - the Lerwick Armed Forces Parade kicks off on Saturday 19th June at 1230.

Say hello to the Shetland Bears for me, I'll be up to say hello in person in a few weeks

On topic, I'll be attending the Inverness event on the 24th July, which seems a long way off from the rest