Welcome to Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day will be on Saturday, 30 June 2012.
History
The first UK Armed Forces Day took place on 27 June 2009; it replaced Veterans' Day which was first observed in 2006. The 27th of June was originally chosen as it marked the day after the anniversary of the first investiture ceremony for the Victoria Cross, held on 26 June 1857.
Today Armed Forces Day is traditionally celebrated on the last Saturday of June.
The 2009 celebrations were centred on Chatham Historic Dockyard – a former Royal Navy base. The Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, attended as the official party, along with the head of the Armed Forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and Defence Minister Kevan Jones.
Cardiff hosted the national event in 2010 in Cardiff Bay with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attending. Edinburgh hosted the 2011 event.
About
Armed Forces Day aims to raise public awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in HM Armed Forces. The day is an annual opportunity for the nation to Show Your Support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, and from veterans to cadets.
