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250 WELSH GUARDS LAUNCH ARMED FORCES DAY 2010

250 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, who saw some of the fiercest fighting in Afghanistan last summer during Operation Panther’s Claw, helped launch Armed Forces Day 2010 at a homecoming parade through Cardiff today. The city has been chosen to host the national event this year.

Armed Forces Day, Saturday 26 June, is an opportunity for the nation to show its support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, including Service families, cadets, veterans and recruits.

Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell, who attended the launch, said:

“Armed Forces Day is a chance for the nation to show its support for our men and women who are working tirelessly around the world on their behalf. It is also an opportunity to recognise our veterans and the wider Armed Forces community. I urge everyone to get involved and help make Armed Forces Day 2010 a fantastic success.”

Across the UK people are already making plans to support the day. Cardiff City Council are hosting the national event and are working on an action packed day of events.

Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr Brian Griffiths, said:

"Armed Forces Day 2010 promises to be a day to remember in Cardiff. The event will be a chance for us to show our support to the brave Service men and women, with past, present and future being honoured. Those who have lost their lives in conflict will also be remembered.

"It is fantastic for Cardiff and Wales as a whole to be given the opportunity to host the national event, and our aim is to have an Armed Forces Day that Cardiff, Wales and of course the UK can be proud of."

Brigadier Russ Wardle, head of the Army in Wales, said:

“Cardiff has played host to numerous homecoming parades for returning troops and the response has always been fantastic.

"Armed Forces Day 2010 is another opportunity for people to show their support for the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force, and I have got no doubt that Cardiff will put on a great show as host for the national event.”

Further information on Armed Forces Day including ideas on how you can get involved is at www.armedforcesday.org.uk. People can also join the 235,000 strong Armed Forces Day community on Facebook www.facebook.com/armedforcesday.

Background

1. The Welsh Guards homecoming parade followed the route from the Millennium Plaza, to Wood Street, St Mary’s Street, Mill Lane, the Hayes, Working Street, High Street, and finally Cardiff Castle where an Armed Forces Day flag was raised. The soldiers were joined by veterans and cadets and thousands of members of the public.
   
   
2. The first highly successful Armed Forces Day took place in 2009, replacing Veterans Day, with the nation demonstrating an overwhelming show of support and appreciation:
   
   A) Every local authority in Wales, England and Scotland and nearly all in Northern Ireland flew an Armed Forces Day flag. They were joined by Government departments, overseas territories and military bases across the world.
   
   B) The Armed Forces Day flag sold out in its thousands, with people flying their own flag or hanging it from their windows.
   
   C) More than 180 community-based events took place, with the national event at Chatham Historic Dockyard in Kent attracting a capacity crowd of 30,000.
   
   
3. The Fly the Flag initiative will again take place in 2010, and the MOD will send an Armed Forces Day flag to every local authority in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. People can now buy their own Armed Forces Day flag at http://www.zephyr-tvc.com/, the official supplier of the flag.
   
   
4. Friday 25 June will see Uniform to Work Day, where Reservists and Cadet Adult Volunteers will be encouraged to wear their military uniform to work. Previously employees from businesses such as Superdrug, Battersea Dogs Home, the Post Office and the Houses of Parliament have taken part.
   
   
5. Veterans across the UK will also be wearing their H.M. Armed Forces Veterans Badge on 25 June, as a proud and visible reminder of the service they gave to this country. There are approximately 4.8million veterans in the UK, 769,000 who have already applied for their Veterans Badge. The MOD is encouraging everyone who is eligible to apply for theirs - www.veterans-uk.info