Star comment: Show true support for our military
It was heartening to watch families and communities come together with past and present soldiers to mark Armed Forces Day.
There can be no doubt that the proud people of Britain fully appreciate the past efforts of our armed forces and the vital role they continue to play today – in these troubled, dangerous times.
Which is why it is important that Armed Forces Day is not just lip service, a pat on the head for our brave military personnel. There is a serious issue that must not be overlooked.
It was fantastic to see thousands of military and non-military soldiers and their families honoured with Armed Forces Day.
Events took place across the region in tribute to our armed forces, including family fun days and cadet training workshops.
Previously known as Veterans’ Day, Armed Forces Day has been running since 2006, and is supported all over the country.
In Wolverhampton there was a city centre parade featuring past and present servicemen and women.
Cannock hosted a fun day complete with military choirs, while similar events took place in West Bromwich and elsewhere across the Black Country and Staffordshire.
The large crowds showed just how proud people are of the work that our armed forces do to protect this country.
But there is a serious issue that should not be overlooked.
Britain’s military spending plans have come under increasing pressure in recent years, with the National Audit Office having recently warned that the Ministry of Defence’s ability to pay for equipment and its maintenance was ‘at the highest risk ever’.
There is little doubt that the defence budget is under close scrutiny by those in the corridors of power and has been through the recent years of austerity.
Genuine fears have been expressed that the number of Army personnel could be cut by tens of thousands, with the Government seemingly reluctant to commit to an earlier pledge to keep numbers stable.
There are some in politics who believe that military spending should be scaled back. They clearly do not represent the views of the tens of thousands of people nationwide who came out at the weekend to pay tribute to our armed forces. Indeed, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has suggested such a policy in the not too distant past.
Their ill informed arguments usually involve the suggestion that reducing military expenditure would free up more money for other areas, such as schools and the NHS.
But while budgets have come under great strain in all Government departments, our military is an area that should always be protected.
You only have to look at recent events on these shores to appreciate the value of our armed forces. War has been declared on our nation and our way of life, our democracy and freedom. But it is an unfair fight with an enemy we cannot see, so often hidding among us.
How can we think about cutting military numbers amidst this threat?
When terror hits our streets it is the military that steps in to work alongside the police and security forces to deal with often perilous situations.
We live in an age where the threats to our way of life are both numerous and increasingly complex.
The very last thing we should be considering at this time is spending cuts to our armed forces.
It is crucial that we all show our support for the brave men and women who make up the armed forces community.
But that support must come from the powers-that-be too – and not just on one weekend a year.
