Do not glamourise Armed Forces Day
I write in response to Robert Buckland’s column of June 21, in which he says that he was honoured to open the Swindon Armed Forces Day event at Faringdon Road Park.
On the day that he was ‘honoured’, hundreds of anti-war activists and peace campaigners across the UK took part in peaceful protests against Armed Forces Day.
I myself made a lone protest outside the gates at Faringdon Road Park.
A number of people stopped and spoke some of whom were supportive of me. Others were not but supported my right to protest.
Armed Forces Day is an event that gives children the image that war is glamorous, exciting and fun.
In recent years, this event has seen children as young as seven handling and being taught how to use guns.
Were these children told of the consequences that such weapons have when used against people? I doubt they were.
Since 2009, when Armed Forces Day was introduced by ex-PM Gordon Brown, it has become more militaristic and nationalistic.
It is certainly not a day of celebration and entertainment that Robert Buckland, other politicians, and the military like to say it is.
Martin Webb,
Old Town
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