Exmouth marks forces day

CELEBRATIONS were held in Exmouth to mark the first Armed Forces Day. Crowds of people, including military veterans and East Devon MP Hugo Swire, gathered in the Strand on Saturday to honour the work of servicemen past and present. The government changed

CELEBRATIONS were held in Exmouth to mark the first Armed Forces Day.

Crowds of people, including military veterans and East Devon MP Hugo Swire, gathered in the Strand on Saturday to honour the work of servicemen past and present.

The government changed the name from Veterans Day to raise awareness and as a mark of appreciation to those on active duty.

Mr Swire handed out special badges to military veterans and attended a buffet lunch for them afterwards.

He said: "Armed Forces Day is extremely important. People should not, however, confuse it with Remembrance Day.

"It is important to have a day where we can acknowledge the work of forces past and present, as opposed to remembering them in a solemn way.

"As a parliamentarian it is key to stress this because ultimately we are the ones who send these people to fight in wars across the world - playing an integral part in defending our nation's freedom."

Lionell Howell, who organised the D-Day commemoration event held in Phear Park last month, said: "I think because of ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, Armed Forces Day is vitally important.

"It is essential that people sit back and think about how much good work our servicemen do."

Hundreds of events, concerts and parades were held in most towns and cities in the country to mark the day.