27 June 2009
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James at NourishingObscurity reminds me that 
it is Armed Forces Day today in the UK.The first Armed Forces Day is 27 June 2009, and is an opportunity for the nation to show our support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community.
I don't know any currently serving regulars personally though I know a bunch who've served and then retired or moved on to other things. Anyway I think it is a very good idea that we British thank the people who fight for us because all too often the respect given is rather more like that given to Kipling's Tommy:I WENT into a public-’ouse to get a pint o’ beer,
The publican ’e up an’ sez, “We serve no red-coats here.”
The girls be’ind the bar they laughed an’ giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an’ to myself sez I:
O it’s Tommy this, an’ Tommy that, an’ “Tommy, go away”;
But it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play,—
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it’s “Thank you, Mister Atkins”, when the band begins to play.
