Armed Forces Day
27th June is Armed Forces Day. A chance for the country to show their support for the British Armed Forces. For us, it is another chance to celebrate the support team behind the forces, our military families and specifically all the little troopers.
We love to encourage our families to have a celebration. Take a look below at some of our resources and ways that you can recognise and celebrate your children.
There’s also news of our Family Reconnection Weekends. Grab a cuppa and read on.
Dates for your Diary
All Together
27th June - Armed Forces Day
31st July - 2nd August - Family Reconnection weekend in Hertfordshire
26th August - Royal Hospital Chelsea intergenerational event
Celebrating our little troopers
Armed Forces Day is a great time to get together as a family, if you can, and celebrate the contribution you all make to the Armed Forces Community.
Why not plan a special dinner and surprises for each member of the family?We have some lovely certificates that you can download and print, or you can make a gift for each other using one of our Crafty Little Troopers projects.
To make it extra special you could order one of medals to present on the day.
Family Reconnection Weekend
Last month military families from across the country gathered in Dorset for the first Family Reconnection Weekend of the year. The event was part of our All Together programme which supports military children and their families during, or following time apart.
Funded through a partnership with Team Forces, the weekend brought 11 families from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force to the Portland Outdoor Centre.
Over the weekend the families enjoyed hot chocolate on the beach, preparing mackerel and hiking to Portland Bill for fire-lighting and cooking their fresh fish.
There was also a chance to take part in In coasteering along the rugged Dorset coastline and water sports.
Isabella is our Little Trooper of the Month
8 year old Isabella has shown remarkable courage and resilience throughout her life while facing significant health challenges and adapting to military life.
Before she was even born, Isabella was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition and has since undergone two open-heart surgeries at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
Throughout her childhood, she has also faced additional health challenges, including hearing loss in her right ear and ongoing respiratory issues requiring specialist care.
As the daughter of a serving British Army soldier, Isabella has experienced the unique challenges of military life alongside her medical journey.
Nominate a Little Trooper
We love to recognise little troopers who have been exceptionally brave, inspirational or just extra special against all odds.
Anyone can nominate a child, who has a parent serving in the British Armed Forces, for Little Trooper of the Month.
We love to hear from Unit Welfare Offices, Community Development Workers, Schools/Nurseries, Brownies/ Scout leaders and of course parents!
Our monthly winner will receive a £100 voucher, certificate and lasting recognition of a customised, unique medal.
Fundraisers of the Month
This month, we would like to say a huge thank you to 7 year old Lillyaana, who has completed a read-a-thon “book tower” fundraising challenge and raised a total of £180!
Lillyaana’s Mum told us: “In celebration of month of the military child, Lillyaana has read 196 books over 25 days to make a book tower standing as tall as herself at 131cm in height.
Lillyaana read multiple books at a time before, during and after school and in the car when travelling. She even read bedtime stories to her baby sister to complete her challenge.”
Thank you so much Lilyaana, you are an absolute superstar!
Looking for activities this Armed Forces Day?
We have a range of free resources for home and school, including a fun word search that's perfect for the whole family. Older children (and parents!) can hide the words for younger ones to find before starting the search.
You can also download our Armed Forces Day Schools Pack and Little Troopers Club session to help children learn more about and celebrate the Armed Forces community.
Make an Armed Forces Day wordsearch
Armed Forces Day Session
Armed Forces Day Schools Pack
