Carol Jones Blog

UNIFORM HOLIDAY

20-05-2008

Armed forces blogger Carol Jones welcomes a proposal to introduce and annual holiday to mark the contribution of the army, navy and RAF.

Sometime ago a government petition was handed into No10 backing an Armed Forces Day, at last a report by MP Quentin Davies recommends the annual public holiday to also include our Veterans.

Bob Ainsworth also wants it a criminal offence to discriminate against people in military uniform as last year troops were told to change into civilian clothes before leaving Birmingham and Edinburgh airports, he said this was "totally and utterly unacceptable".

Mr Ainsworth believes gaining a better understanding of the military should start in schools, but there are a number of teachers who do not agree with him. It is said that people DO NOT resent Army personnel, but the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Albert Beale of the pacifist Peace Pledge Union, said he disagreed with the idea of an Armed Forces Day " The idea that we celebrate the fact that people go around killing one another is just an anathema to me", he said .

I welcome an Armed Forces Day, to remember our Troops who have died for their Country, and also the seriously injured who are now maimed for the rest of their lives. But we must remember this should be a day to remember our fallen troops and not just an extra day in bed.