Military Saturday: Armed Forces Day!

I blogged earlier about UK Armed Forces Day, the very first ever, which developed out of Veterans Day. This day is today and all across the country events are taking place, with the main national event being at the historic dockyard in Chatham (where I used to live and where Her Majesty’s Men takes place). So, of course what would I choose for this joker Saturday? Armed Forces Day, of course.

The BBC has an article on the Armed Forces Day underway, including a clickable map of where troops are currently deployed, and there is a Facebook page with many photos of 3000 odd flags being flown across the country. My office was one of them. Here is their Twitter page and here is the Flickr group pool.

No matter what I might think of some individuals who’ve taken up the job of soldiering (ye gods, I met a lot of idiots amongst soldiers) and while no one is forced to take up the job and becoming a soldier is a voluntary decision, never forget it is a shite job, a deadly dangerous one, and can have horrific consequences, besides death. Thus on this day, I shout a loud and cheery Hip Hip Hooray! for all the  non-idiot guys and gals, and for everyone who’s chosen a job where they put their lives on the line (actually, the same goes for firemen, etc):

So, here I am, honouring our Armed Forces and Veterans, and raising awareness of the past and continuing contributions of the Armed Forces.

This is one of my favourites photos on the Flickr group, you may guess why …

Major General A Bradshaw CB OBE and staff at 1 (UK) Armoured Division raise the Armed Forces day flag at the Divisional Headquarters in Herford Germany.

P.S. Thanks, guys, for giving me endless stories to write, aye? (even if you might not agree with titllating stories about gay soldiers, snerk) But seriously, stay safe, I know it isn’t possible for all and I know some will die, be maimed, suffer from PTSD, but here’s sending a particularly good wish to Squaddie (you know who you are, Neil. We luvya, lad.)