Medway Armed Forces Day 2017

Although it isn't a set public Holiday, as it is in other countries, Armed Forces Day, previously known as Veterans Day, is usually celebrated and remembered across the UK at the end of June.

The boys and I have always been supporters of the day and event. However, despite the boys attending the local event in previous years with their Mum, it is something that I haven't attended so thought I must at go this year!

We always support our troops and it is something that's we've done in my family my entire life. My Dad served with the Royal Marines Band Service and my Mum served, and received one of the highest commendations, as a civilian for over 40 years with the Royal Engineers.

 The event hosted a high range of different sights and attractions to engage with!

Vehicles

There were lined up different vehicles from different eras from buggies, 4x4's, tanks and trucks.

There were massive queues for most of the above vehicles, especially the ones that had mounted weapons or sections that you could enter or explore. However, the one that didn't have anyone interested was the ambulance (seen below) which also had an opened back to see.

I absolutely loved the ambulance and it really hit home the people who serve the country to help those who fight or get injured. The conditions in the back were poor and you could see a very minimal position to help people in a trauma situation compared to hospitals. It was very eye opening for both myself and the boys.

There was also a chance to see and get in the Royal Navy's helicopter.

The boys loved stepping inside.

Along with military vehicles there were some old fashioned and collectable scooters, bikes and cars.

It was cool to see a Vespa; my dad was one of the Mods back in the day and had one! I also loved the fact that the community allowed children to sit upon the bikes for a small donation that went towards the veterans who were part of a bikers club.

Entertainment

Right in the middle of the festival was a stage where different performers were entertaining the crowds. There were a mix between military bands, regular bands playing classic oldies and some war time entertainers singing classic like Mr Sandman.

The festival spirit was in full swing with families sitting and having picnics, others who had purchased from different venders and options to sit around tables and listen.

It was great to see that the event was fully covered for all parental needs too and, just like some of the other local events, the NCT and the boys mum were volunteering to help where possible.

 

There was also an opportunity to visit the massive fair that was available for all to enjoy. Rides and carnival stalls filled with lots of fun. However, I avoided it as I felt that it was a bit of a money drainer that actually took away from the event.

Activities

There were some fantastic activities scattered around. Above you can see a Army camp set up, with tent, kit laid out on display and a gun to show some of the defence they would have had. Inside the tent you had a small display of pictures that showed the conditions that soldiers would have lived in.

The boys were also enlisted to learn how to shout and charge with their guns.

As well as learning how to march!

As well as interactive characters from older battle scenarios.

Royal Engineers

In Medway our Barracks is based around Professional Engineering and aligned with the Royal Engineers museum.

Around we saw the equipment that would be used in aqua engineers! It was fascinating listening to the soldiers discussing the different equipment and the type of challengers that they face. The boys loved trying on their equipment too!

Next we came across the "Dirt Dogs" who test, explore and provide information for potential building sites. They discussed the different material that they come across, spoke to the boys engagingly to see if they could identify sensible materials to build upon and showed how they tested the "dirt". The process seems incredibly complex but it was completely absorbing!

Next stop on the engineers list were the builders. The spent time discussing the best way to build structures with bricks and the boys even had a chance to try building a wall! (Although I wouldn't hire them quite yet!)

Finally, we met the electricians. They had an electronic game where James tried to not let the loop touch the side (I will add that there were more buzzes then breaks in his attempts) and William learnt how to wire a plug.

This section of the event was educational, fascinating and really engaging! The way everyone engaged with the children was totally brilliant but there was also that feeling resting at the back of my mind that these skill sets are being used in some dangerous situations worldwide.

The event was, like most locally, organised perfectly. The food venders, in my opinion, were very highly priced and there was a lack of places to "snack" rather than buy a £7 burger. I get that it is a celebratory event too but I did feel that the contrasting presence of the massive fairground was a tad too far when there was plenty of other activities to do. It is on that point that I would love to know if those fairground venders were paying towards the variety of charities that were set up there for the day rather than the council but I suppose that is wishful thinking on my part!

Considering this was the first time that I had attended the event I was left with very mixed feelings. I continue to be proud of the variety of armed forces, men and women and animals that risk their lives every day for us but amongst the fun and excitement that the boys were experience there was this deeper message that this isn't just an event remembering the past. The mix of different eras of vehicles and attractions combined with the engineers made me realise that they are needed just as much today as they were a hundred plus years ago. It was a great, engaging and thoughtful event for all the family.

Did you go to any events for Armed Forces Day? What was yours like? Did you attend the same one as us, what did you think?