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UK armed forces to be celebrated UK armed forces to be celebrated
(about 7 hours later)
Celebrations for the UK's first Armed Forces Day are to be held later.Celebrations for the UK's first Armed Forces Day are to be held later.
The events are intended to thank current serving troops, their families and veterans for their contribution.The events are intended to thank current serving troops, their families and veterans for their contribution.
Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said it should be "a celebration of the armed forces in all of their glory, not just what they do while they're in service".Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said it should be "a celebration of the armed forces in all of their glory, not just what they do while they're in service".
As part of the celebrations, many councils took part in flag-raising ceremonies on Monday and other events also took place earlier this week. It used to be called Veteran's Day but was changed by the government to raise awareness and appreciation of all those serving in Britain's military.
Major celebrations will be held on Saturday in cities around the country, including Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and Plymouth, with a national event taking place at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent. The Queen has sent a message of thanks to British servicemen and women, past and present, to mark the day.
These will take the form of Proms-style concerts and parades, among others.
Now you can see lots of organisations - small businesses, large businesses, communities - trying to show their appreciation Bob Ainsworth, Defence SecretaryNow you can see lots of organisations - small businesses, large businesses, communities - trying to show their appreciation Bob Ainsworth, Defence Secretary
It was delivered to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, who will be among the dignitaries at the national commemoration event taking place at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent.
Major celebrations will also be held on Saturday in cities around the country, including Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and Plymouth.
These will take the form of Proms-style concerts and parades, among others.
'Debt of gratitude'
Speaking during his first visit to Afghanistan since taking over as defence secretary, Mr Ainsworth said the new day honouring service personnel would be a "huge fillip" to troops.Speaking during his first visit to Afghanistan since taking over as defence secretary, Mr Ainsworth said the new day honouring service personnel would be a "huge fillip" to troops.
The lack of recognition extended to the armed forces in recent years was "not acceptable", he said.The lack of recognition extended to the armed forces in recent years was "not acceptable", he said.
He referred to young soldiers he once spoke to, who had recently returned from theatre shortly after he became a defence minister in 2007.He referred to young soldiers he once spoke to, who had recently returned from theatre shortly after he became a defence minister in 2007.
"They were telling me at that time that they didn't tend to talk about what they had been up to because people weren't interested," he said."They were telling me at that time that they didn't tend to talk about what they had been up to because people weren't interested," he said.
We know how high the human costs are, and how much we owe to those who live daily with such costs Archbishop of Canterbury
"I just thought that that was so depressing. Now you can see lots of organisations - small businesses, large businesses, communities - trying to show their appreciation."I just thought that that was so depressing. Now you can see lots of organisations - small businesses, large businesses, communities - trying to show their appreciation.
"And it is just phenomenally important. It's a huge improvement on the situation that was existing a couple of years ago.""And it is just phenomenally important. It's a huge improvement on the situation that was existing a couple of years ago."
'Debt of gratitude'
Mr Ainsworth also said the full contribution made to society by ex-service personnel should be recognised.Mr Ainsworth also said the full contribution made to society by ex-service personnel should be recognised.
"It's got to be a celebration of the armed forces in all of their glory, not just what they do while they're in service, but the contribution that they make when they go back into civilian life," he said."It's got to be a celebration of the armed forces in all of their glory, not just what they do while they're in service, but the contribution that they make when they go back into civilian life," he said.
The Queen is to mark the occasion by sending a message of good wishes to service personnel, their families and military veterans.
Her full message will be sent to the Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup.
He will be among the dignitaries at the national celebration and commemoration event being staged at Chatham.
'Human costs''Human costs'
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said the "tragic costs of war" had been brought home to people "in a way most of us have not experienced before or have not experienced for very many years".The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said the "tragic costs of war" had been brought home to people "in a way most of us have not experienced before or have not experienced for very many years".
He added: "We know how high the human costs are, and how much we owe to those who live daily with such costs.He added: "We know how high the human costs are, and how much we owe to those who live daily with such costs.
"The professionalism and responsibility they regularly show, as well as their courage in the field, are deeply appreciated, and it is right that they should be nationally recognised on this Armed Forces Day. "The professionalism and responsibility they regularly show, as well as their courage in the field, are deeply appreciated, and it is right that they should be nationally recognised on this Armed Forces Day."
"It is also an opportunity to give thanks for all those who have served their country in past conflicts, for their sacrifice and example."
Veterans minister Kevan Jones said: "I am grateful to the people who have organised events in the run-up to Armed Forces Day.Veterans minister Kevan Jones said: "I am grateful to the people who have organised events in the run-up to Armed Forces Day.
"It will mean a great deal, particularly to those serving this country today and also the thousands of veterans to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude for their role in securing our freedom. "It will mean a great deal, particularly to those serving this country today and also the thousands of veterans to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude for their role in securing our freed."
"It is vital for them to know that they have the support of their fellow citizens for the sacrifices they have made and continue to make."
OmanBahrainQatarKuwaitDarfurSudanDemocratic Republic CongoFalkland IslandsAscension IslandOtherDiego GarciaAfghanistanIraqCyprusBalkansGermanyGibraltar OPERATIONALAfghanistan: 9,000Balkans: 200Iraq: 500Qatar: 250Kuwait: 1,500Bahrain: 150Oman: 150 NON-OPERATIONALGermany: 21,500Cyprus: 3,100Falkland Islands: 1,500Gibraltar: 500Other including UN: 300OmanBahrainQatarKuwaitDarfurSudanDemocratic Republic CongoFalkland IslandsAscension IslandOtherDiego GarciaAfghanistanIraqCyprusBalkansGermanyGibraltar OPERATIONALAfghanistan: 9,000Balkans: 200Iraq: 500Qatar: 250Kuwait: 1,500Bahrain: 150Oman: 150 NON-OPERATIONALGermany: 21,500Cyprus: 3,100Falkland Islands: 1,500Gibraltar: 500Other including UN: 300