Quote Originally Posted by marinello59 View Post
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Just to give a bit of balance. (Can't have the entire thread consisting of "moral outrage" at this. )

Arned Forces day was held this year with events in major towns and cities up and down the UK. There are large sections of the population who wish to show some form of appreciation for the job done by our current Military personnel so a need was met. That seems like a good thing for me. (On the flip side there are plenty of people wishing to give serving military personnel a verbal lashing.........they can log on here for that.)

I can't say I noticed that there had been one venue selected as a "major host location" this year but apparently Chatham hosted this in 2009 with Cardiff scheduled for 2010. (Belfast 2012 anyone?). Yeap, that does make me feel slightly uncomfortable but "Government Exploits Military for Political Gain" is not going to be the most shocking headline ever written.
I don't want this to drift into a heated, emotive debate like we had about remembrance. Another one of those and Hibs.net will end up with it's own poppy day for the "brave lads" who fought on those threads.

I do question though why such a big deal is made of the forces, when there are many other public servants doing their bit for the nation.

Personally, I feel that one of the unique institutions that defines British society is the NHS. (OK,who would have guessed that?). I can't see a parade of the people who do that job getting off the ground. There are lot of others, like the police, teachers and just about anyone who works and contributes to our society who don't get national recognition.

Neither did the forces until recently. So why the big surge in celebrating Britain's military might? I think it is disproportionate, and a cynical piece of propaganda.