THIS week a government-backed study recommended the creation of a special Armed Forces Day to promote public recognition of the military.

Proposals include an increased uniformed military attendance at such events as the forthcoming 2012 Olympics, relaxing the rules regarding contact with the media for senior officers, and a new bank holiday.

Reporter Matt Sims took to the streets of Wrexham to find out what local people thought about the idea.

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WHAT with huge opposition to the controversial war on Iraq and reports of uniformed soldiers being spat at by members of the public in certain British towns, you could be forgiven for thinking that our armed forces have never been so reviled.

However, the people of Wrexham are clearly not of this opinion. Talking to local people in the town centre and it becomes clear that our soldiers, are held in nothing but the highest esteem.

There are 40 recommendations as part of Armed Forces Day, including servicemen being given a day on duty to visit their old school to meet teachers and pupils, examining the revival of the Royal Tournament, a televised military tattoo last held in 1999, and encouraging closer contacts between individual military units and local MPs.

The government-backed report by MP Quentin Davies also said more state school pupils should be encouraged to join cadet forces.

Wrexham man Derek Price said he would welcome any measures which gave more status to the Armed Forces.

He said: "I think more recognition is a good idea and I would welcome the extra bank holiday."

Glen Ash, another Wrexham resident, also backed the proposals, but said one more Bank Holiday a year might be considered overkill.

He said: "I think there's well enough already."

Brian Gibbon, who works on the High Street, was also keen to see Armed Forces Day introduced.

He said: "I think it's a good idea. I think the forces should be recognised."

The proposal on discrimination follows several high-profile incidents, including one when an army officer in uniform was refused entry to Harrods' London department store on Remembrance Day.

Troops at Birmingham and Edinburgh airports were told to change into civilian clothes, and RAF personnel have been intimidated and abused in Peterborough.

Speaking about the latter, Mr Gibbon said: "A lot of the time it is kids who have got nothing better to do.

"They are going and spitting on kids not much older than themselves who have taken the time to go into the army.

"But that's just society now. The kids have got nothing to do – they can't go in the army because they have got criminal records, so it's a vicious cycle."

Mike Mottram also condemned those who had abused soldiers, and said: "It's disgusting. When we are in real trouble the only people who will help us are the men in uniform. It really doesn't matter to us but it would be nice."

Finally, Richard Jones was all for the idea of special recognition for the Armed Forces.

"I welcome it," he said. "Both of the wife's kids have been in the army and one of them was in Northern Ireland. I think it's bad when they are abused."

Do we give members of the armed forces the respect they deserve?

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