It's Armed Forces Day ....

[Baldric]

.... and as a 20 years served former RM, I would just like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who supported us during various operations and exercises Worldwide, both Military and Civilian, thank you all, we couldn't have done it without you, you're the best.

[waterboatman]

As a twelve year Royal Artillery Soldier I would like to back that. Every soldier, sailor and Airman/woman needs and deserves the help and support of the people we served. We laid our lives on the line to defend you. You never let us down. A big thank you to everyone.

[10ClarionSt]

No matter what the political situation, I think the serving men want the support of the public, and I'm sure they have that in abundance in this country. Thank you to all in the armed forces.

[lady-janine]

Thank you to all our military. I never served but I know people who have and who are and THANK YOU.

[retrocop]

Young men and women,reliable,loyal, courageous,professional and committed to protecting us at the cost of their lives. Thank you all now and in the past.

[Bobbisox1]

I echo what’s been said here, ‘ they went in as boys and came out as men’

[retrocop]

and women :-)

[Bobbisox1]

Yes, and women, my musings are really from WW1 retro :0)

[mallyh]

got the flags up .mr mally did 271/2 years in navy I was a wren .thanks to all now and past personnel.

[Bobbisox1]

I think we all should display our flags today but it’s a different kind of world where some are offended

[tiggerblue10]

Thank you to all Britain's Armed Forces past and present :o)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53194844

[retrocop]

My flags are up. Senior Service white ensign top followed by Army,Royal Airforce and Union flag. Sorry balders no RM colours but they fly under the White ensign in any case as you know.

[Bobbisox1]

Tiggs I Rembrandts clearly being in your motherland of N Cyprus when each day the Turkish flag was hoisted by military in gleaming white uniforms

[Bobbisox1]

I’ve got a 6ft Union Jack fluttering happily in the breeze :0)

[Bobbisox1]

@Tiggs/// remember )

[tiggerblue10]

When were you in N Cyprus Bobbi? We left in 1974 when the war broke out. My dad was in the army so stayed there. Worrying time for my mum.

[Bobbisox1]

I’ve just asked Mr B Tiggs and we can’t remember the year, only that we were staying in S Cyprus and crossed to the North to stay for 3 nights for our wedding anniversary, at the time you had to show your passport but I believe that’s been lifted now, we stayed in Kyrenia ? I think the Northern Cypriots call it Girne ?

[tiggerblue10]

Lovely Bobbi. Yes, Girne/Kyrenia is where we were supposed to go for Easter which got cancelled. Haven't been back to Cyprus for nearly 20 years.

They are trying to open the gate to the South in the village I come from. It's right on the border but you have to travel to Nicosia to go to the South.

[Bobbisox1]

We went through from Nicosia too Tiggs, our friends lived in the hills above Paphos and we stayed with them most Septembers , we crossed with them in their car which sported a SC numberplate, we stayed in a beautiful hotel for our 3 nights and at the end when we were leaving , the very handsome manager came to us at the reception desk, shook our friends hand ( after asking who’s car it was) and said
“ Sir, give my regards to the ‘other side’ “ he was a delight :0)

[tiggerblue10]

Things have changed a lot in the last 20 years and people can come and go more freely now. I don't know if there will ever be a unified Cyprus but N Cyprus still isn't a recognised country.

[Baldric]

This was not the intended purpose of this post, I'm tempted to ask for it to be removed to be honest.