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| Backing for Armed Forces Day plan | Backing for Armed Forces Day plan |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| An Armed Forces Day public holiday has been recommended by a government-backed study which looked into improving public recognition of the military. | An Armed Forces Day public holiday has been recommended by a government-backed study which looked into improving public recognition of the military. |
| The report by Quentin Davies MP also said more state school pupils should be encouraged to join cadet forces. | The report by Quentin Davies MP also said more state school pupils should be encouraged to join cadet forces. |
| The 40 recommendations included making it a criminal offence to discriminate against people in military uniform. | The 40 recommendations included making it a criminal offence to discriminate against people in military uniform. |
| Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said the proposals would better recognise the work of the military. | Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said the proposals would better recognise the work of the military. |
| Veterans' role | |
| Mr Davies' report said the annual public holiday should also recognise the role veterans have played in the armed forces. | Mr Davies' report said the annual public holiday should also recognise the role veterans have played in the armed forces. |
| It said: "If the government were minded to propose to Parliament the creation of another public holiday, we believe that an Armed Forces and Veterans' Day on a set Friday or Monday at the end of June would be the right solution." | It said: "If the government were minded to propose to Parliament the creation of another public holiday, we believe that an Armed Forces and Veterans' Day on a set Friday or Monday at the end of June would be the right solution." |
| This report provides firm foundations to ensure that the work of our armed forces is better understood and recognised Bob AinsworthArmed Forces Minister | |
| Other recommendations included encouraging military personnel to wear their uniforms in public, including military awareness in the national curriculum, and ensuring homecoming parades for troops returning from combat. | Other recommendations included encouraging military personnel to wear their uniforms in public, including military awareness in the national curriculum, and ensuring homecoming parades for troops returning from combat. |
| The proposal on discrimination follows several high-profile incidents, including one when an army officer in uniform was refused entry to Harrods' London store on Remembrance Day. | |
| Troops at Birmingham and Edinburgh airports were told to change into civilian clothes, and RAF personnel have been intimidated and abused in Peterborough. | |
| Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth said such events were "totally and utterly unacceptable". | |
| 'Tremendous bravery' | |
| The government believes gaining a better understanding of the military should start in schools and wants to offer more state pupils the opportunity to get involved with cadet units. | |
| There are currently 60 cadet forces in comprehensive schools in England and Wales, compared with 200 in grammar and independent schools.HAVE YOUR SAYThe purpose of the Armed Forces Day is misjudged. People do not resent Army personnel, but the war in Iraq.Peter JonesSend us your comments | |
| Although military training could provide young people with skills it should not be made compulsory, Mr Davies said. | |
| He told BBC News: "We aren't going to do anything on a compulsory basis because it doesn't work that way. | |
| "If you want to make a success of these things the individual children taking part have got to be motivated, they've got to volunteer, got to be proud of what they're doing." | |
| Mr Ainsworth said: "Our service personnel continue to demonstrate the tremendous bravery and courage that makes them the best in the world. | |
| "This report provides firm foundations to ensure that the work of our armed forces is better understood and recognised by the nation they serve." | "This report provides firm foundations to ensure that the work of our armed forces is better understood and recognised by the nation they serve." |
| 'Huge debt' | 'Huge debt' |
| Mr Ainsworth said the cross-government Service Personnel Command Paper would soon be published, which would set out the government's proposals for "further improving the lives of our troops, their families and veterans". | Mr Ainsworth said the cross-government Service Personnel Command Paper would soon be published, which would set out the government's proposals for "further improving the lives of our troops, their families and veterans". |
| The Ministry of Defence welcomed the report and said some of the recommendations were already being worked on. | The Ministry of Defence welcomed the report and said some of the recommendations were already being worked on. |
| The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Timothy Granville-Chapman, said: "Mr Davies's report highlights the huge debt the nation owes to its sailors, soldiers and airmen. | The Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff, Gen Timothy Granville-Chapman, said: "Mr Davies's report highlights the huge debt the nation owes to its sailors, soldiers and airmen. |
| "There is increasing public acknowledgement of this, and support for the armed forces in terms of homecoming parades and charitable giving has been received very well by those in uniform." | "There is increasing public acknowledgement of this, and support for the armed forces in terms of homecoming parades and charitable giving has been received very well by those in uniform." |
| Albert Beale, of the pacifist Peace Pledge Union, said he disagreed with the idea of an Armed Forces Day. | |
| He said: "The idea that we celebrate the fact that people go around killing one another is just an anathema to me." | |
| Last year, Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the head of the Army, expressed concerns about a "growing gulf between the Army and the nation". | |
| The Conservatives say the government has taken on many of their ideas. |