Today is Armed Forces Day

Today is the first-ever Armed Forces Day in Britain - a day when we can pay tribute and give thanks to our servicemen and women in the Army, Navy and Air Force. Many of us think such a day is long overdue, and I am sure this event will become a fixture in our national calendar.

Wandsworth is home to territorial soldiers from the London Regiment based in Battersea, Balham and St John?s Hill and the 31st (City of London) Signal Regiment based in Southfields - many of whom have seen operational duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. There are also army, sea and air cadet squadrons located within the Borough.

There are loads of events, national and local planned for today - indeed, they've been happening all week. And you can play your part too.

You can display an Armed Forces Day flag - like the one at the top of this post and in the banner image of my site - by clicking here. Just download, print it off and stick it in your window.

If you want to get more involved then the official Armed Forces Day website has a host of ways to show your support, including children's competitions and signing up to the Facebook and Twitter Armed Forces Day events.

The forecasts are for perfect outdoor weather today, so why not take part in some of the local events? Here are details of the main Wandsworth event:

Battersea Park, 12 noon - 5pm
The - fun - day will commence midday at the bandstand in Battersea Park with the Pipes and Drums from the London Regiment heralding a military salute and opening ceremony.

After the military spectacle the day?s family festivities will get underway and visitors will have the opportunity to meet the soldiers and cadets to speak about their military role in the community and beyond. There will be activities and exhibitions for residents of all ages:

• Watch weapons demonstrations including mortars, machine guns, assault rifles and anti-tank missiles;
• Take part on the Army's Paintball Range;
• See the equipment carried by the soldiers whilst on operations, try to put up a poncho and feel the weight of a Bergan on their back;
• Watch a field kitchen in action;
• Talk to members of the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and Air Cadets as well as veterans from the Royal British Legion and staff from the charity Help for Heroes;
• Experience a ride in a tethered hot air balloon with all donations to go to the London Regiment?s Welfare and Benevolent Fund;
• Listen to music from the Westminster Saxophone Quartet jazz band and the Bryden string quartet;
• Watch or take part in a game of rounders ? civilians versus military;
  enjoy a free Tai Chi session;
• Children above the age of 3 years are invited to take part in creative workshops at the Gallery Piazza. The workshops will be: flag making (create your own family flag) and create a City State (what would you do if you were in charge of your own city?);
• Face painting will also be available with all donations going to The Royal British Legion.

You can find out more about nearby events and the national celebration of our Armed Forces at http://www.armedforcesday.org.uk/.