Today is the first Armed Forces Day -a day to remember past and serving armed forces personnel.

Taking into account the extraordinary service and committment of our service personnel across the world and domestically in recent years then surely this commemorative day is not before time.

This country is naturally proud of the men and women who serve this country, often in extremely difficult not to mention dangerous cirumstances. Prepared to lay down their lives if necessary.

I for one will be remembering past members of my family that have served this country and thinking of those especially in Afghanistan and still in Iraq that are being called on to risk the ultimate sacrifice.