100 days to Armed Forces Day 2014
Today marks the start of the 100-day countdown to this year's Armed Forces Day.
![Air dog Memphis from the working dog section at Camp Bastion with 2 soldiers of the Royal Military Police (stock image) [Picture: Sergeant Alison Baskerville, Crown copyright]](https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a621d5ee5274a0a37ef23cf/s300_45152820.jpg)
Air dog Memphis promoting Armed Forces Day in Camp Bastion
The day is a chance for the nation to show its support for the men and women of the armed forces for their outstanding contribution to the country.
This year’s national event is being held in Stirling on Saturday 28 June. Plans are well underway to create a spectacular programme of activities for military personnel, their families, veterans and visitors to make this a truly memorable occasion everybody can enjoy.
On operations at home, as seen with the recent flooding, and those overseas, the men and women of the armed forces work to protect the security, independence and interests of our country 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year.
Armed Forces Day is a chance to say thank you to them and to the whole armed forces community, including reservists, veterans, cadets and service families.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel Mounts Bay at the Armed Forces Day national event in Plymouth (library image) [Picture: Crown copyright]
In support of Armed Forces Day, National Express coaches are offering all serving military personnel 60% off travel through the Defence Discount Service.
For everyone else they are offering 50% off all fares to Stirling, Glasgow and Edinburgh on Armed Forces Day and the day before. This will hopefully mean that as many people as possible around the country can attend the national event.
Defence Minister Anna Soubry said:
Armed Forces Day represents an opportunity for us to recognise the tremendous contribution made to the country by those that serve, and it is vital that British business plays its role.
As National Express were the first company to sign a corporate covenant, it is wonderful to see a great British business showing its support for this important event. I hope as many people as possible will be able to join in the celebrations and National Express’ offer will help to ensure this happens.
But the excitement isn’t just confined to Stirling, as hundreds of events are being organised right across the UK to mark Armed Forces Day, with event organisers able to apply for funding from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to hold a local event.
Flight Sergeant Martyn Clayton and Corporal 'Bod' Davies of the Royal Air Force Aerial Erector School hold up the Armed Forces Day flag (stock image) [Picture: Gordon Elias, Crown copyright]
A maximum of £10,000 is available per application, providing that MOD funding accounts for no more than 50% of the total cost. Over 40 events have so far received this support, and people have until 28 March 2014 to submit an application for funding.
To find out more about the application process and funding criteria, please visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk or contact the MOD Armed Forces Day team by email at perstrg-dssec-cectmailbox@mod.uk or by telephone on 020 7807 0970.
As well as showing their support by attending an Armed Forces Day event, people can join the more than one million followers of the Armed Forces Day Facebook page or follow us on Twitter and receive regular news and updates.