British Military?

Question

While in Florida i noticed all the restaurants offered free meals for military service people past and present for their selfless dedication to their country. This wasnt the only show of appreciation for the military and made me wonder whether we treat OUR boys and girls who fight for their contry with the same appreciation?

Answer 1

Ive just come back from Florida and we couldn't believe it either, it was a big talking point with us because my husband has just left the army after 23 years and was amazed at how well thought of the Americans are, whilst at Sea World they asked everyone to stand for soldiers past and present and also any other soldiers from England, i was very proud to clap them all, even the Americans were disgusted that the British soldiers don't get any recognition, we even bought a magnet in the shape of a ribbon for the car saying support our troops, from an army wives view if only the British public new the real hardships that our boys go through they don't see half of the thing that do go on, you people out there should be ashamed to call yourself British, take some pride in our country and the men that fight to keep us safe.

Answer 2

i have to ask,have you ever served in the british military,if not then i can understand your question,the americans have always looked after their armed forces both during and after their service,we on the other hand do not,most people in this country have no interest in the armed forces and the thought of giving a free meal let alone anything else would be something well beyond their comprehension,if the government cant be bothered then why would the man in the street be,dont take this the wrong way but the average british soldier isnt looking for a free handout,in some cases to admit that one is a member of the armed services is enough to put you to the back of the queue,the public at large are ok with the fact that the army can empty bins,stand in for the fire brigade or fill sandbags to hold back floodwaters but apart from that there is no interest in what the army do,they lose sight of the fact that they sleep safe at night because somewhere there is a british soldier in some god forsaking part of the world standing guard just for that very reason,there is nothing worse then a bunch of armchair warriors who have not/would not/or could not serve giving an opinon that their not qualified to give,sorry to go on but ive lived with it for 24 years,british public go on that the armed services are a closed community,looking at the big picture can you wonder why..

Answer 3

It's up to each and every person to decide how they show their appreciation for servicemen and ex-servicemen.

If a guy can afford to offer free meals to them in his restaurant, good on him. But suppose someone can't afford to do that, or what if he only offered free meals because all the other restaurants did and he didn't want to look bad?

Either way, I'd be grateful to get even half that much appreciation. In Australia, a soldier can't wear his uniform in public unless he has enough mates to dissuade people from assaulting them. Sometimes people will go up to the fence of a reserve depot just to yell at the soldiers inside, throw litter and run away. I might get free fries with my burger, but open appreciation of the uniformed services isn't a social norm yet.

That's the way things usually are outside the US, so we may as well count our blessings. They do things differently there.

Answer 4

As an ex member of the UK armed forces I particularly don't like your attitude and find your arrogance very saddening. I daresay you are a fantastic armchair warrior. Sitting up in your bedroom waiting for mummy to shout you down for your meals then getting back to being an Xbox Call of Duty god. I can understand some of your sentiments. But, I have to ask, why are you so bitter? Were you turned down at the careers office? Perhaps didn't pass the aptitude test? Or perhaps your girlfriend left you for a squaddie? lol Your rage should be aimed at the politicians and not the servicemen. BTW the French Foreign Legion would break you and send you back home crying to momma. lol

Answer 5

Here in London giving free meals to the troops is going to be a tall order. Mainly this is because London is such a diverse city these days. Would your average London Italian restaurant hand out free meals to our troops? How about the multitude of Indian and Chinese restaurants?

The idea is a good one, so why not put it to the restaurants themselves. How about a free meal for our boys and girls when they come marching home and how about giving them the freedom of our city too? Oh God. Does that mean fixed bayonets in the Strand?

Edit: Gunner Reah above I very much agree with him. Students have always got on my t.its - Old soldier British Army 1957-1965 [only the cold war and lazing about on the beaches of Cyrpus and swanning around the booze halls of Germany].

When I came out of the Army the students were on the streets demanding this and that. By c1968 they were standing outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square here in London making complete prats of themselves. My dad, a vet of WW2 [now gone] was effin mad about it considering what the Yanks had done for us in my own lifetime.

Anyway - whatever - WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!
[not the effin stooodents]

Answer 6

No way .. the Americans treat their soldiers really well ..Whilst on operational duties they get the best food etc and our boys get rubbish ..

My hubby was always liberating goodies from the American camps for his boys

Edit we get forces discount at burtons clothes shop and some service stations for food ..The car perks are in the process of being removed (they are tax free in Germany )We have just got 20% off council tax whilst they are away on tours but this only applies if you live in married quarters ...

The americans treat their military well the uk could learn a few lessons

EDIT the discount on hols .. never heard of it ..The only discount i know is through forces travel which is mega expensive in the first place

Answer 7

We Brits do get some discounts at home. We have a brochure that you can get from your admin office with a range of discounts. A favourite is MOTO services, who give you 20% off. Thats why our convoys always stop at MOTO services when possible,especially when Im in charge.
I love travelling in the US as a squaddie. It starts as soon as you enter customs(helps if you have an RAF Basra stamp in your passport). You get goverment rates in most hotels and with hire car companies.
You get a lot of fake discounts in the UK. A lot of the time you can get a better deal if you dont go through the MOD discount route. My mate saved £500 on a flight to Australia with a well known airline (cough ba cough) by phoning the normal civvy number as apposed to te MOD discount one.
Student discounts annoy me. What do they do for the country apart from whinge sponge and call me a baby killer.

Answer 8

AND THE CONNECTION TO BRITISH MILITARY IS?????

FLORIDA, USA, ????

OR are you trying to ask what freebies are available to British troops???

EDIT for the hard of understanding!!

I am not bitter or twisted, I am trying to understand the original question, why did the poster not say:
"I was in the U.S.A., in Florida, I saw lots of restaurants giving free meals to U.S. serving soldiers and U.S. military veterans for their service to their country. And I was wondering do British Military get the same treatment."

The whole purpose of communication is so people can understand what they are talking about, clearly the original poster felt the need to beat around the bush.

Answer 9

Well in UK government has just announced 25% discount in council tax for troops who serve abroad. Whoo! That's about it!

Answer 10

we don't treat them with the respect they deserve - our friends across the pond have clearly got the right idea.

our government doesn't even seem to be able to supply the right equipment .