National Armed Forces Day 2016: How it happened

Hundreds of serving military personnel have taken part in the parade along the seafront at Cleethorpes for Armed Forces Day.  

I spoke to them as they were about to set off and they said they were overwhelmed with the show of support from the crowds that had gathered.

Chinook aircraft are used for trooping, resupply, and battlefield Casualty Evacuation. 

More recently they've become known for their emergency response role, the back of the aircraft can even be used as an emergency operating theatre. 

If that isn't versatile I don't know what is.

There's been some VIPs in Cleethorpes today, alongside the Prime Minister and HRH Duke of Kent was Lord Howe, Minister of State for Defence.

He was thrilled that the resort played host to national Armed Forces Day and the turnout was a tremendous success. 

He then told me why the day is of such importance. 

I was at the event at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

There were many, many people there showing their support for our armed forces.

Here are a selection of some of my favourite images from the event.

John BrayCopyright: John Bray

John BrayCopyright: John Bray

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BBCCopyright: BBC

Warrington Wolves rugby league club invited the armed forces do a lap of honour at the end of last night’s match.

Looking at the size of some of them, they could have played fullback!

Saluting across the country continues! 

If you want to pay tribute to the British Armed Forces community simply take a photo of you saluting and upload it here. 

Earlier on I posted the photo of the love heart created by the Red Arrows.

The display team created the symbol in the air above Cleethorpes as part of Armed Forces Day.

Well, here's the video to go along with the picture. Watch it below.

David Cameron has tweeted his views on Armed Forces Day - and the ongoing efforts of our military personnel.

I've been watching the parade at the National Memorial Arboretum event in Staffordshire today.

The arboretum is the UK’s year-round centre of Remembrance. The surrounding landscape has over 320 memorials in tribute to those who've served and continue to serve our country.

Watch the sea of medals as the veterans march by.

There were huge crowds in Plymouth for Armed Forces Day.

As well as a parade there was also a pipe band and a performance by the Military Wives Choir.

There were also aerobatic displays and vintage planes.

Oh, and this...

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BBCCopyright: BBC

The Red Arrows thrilled crowds in Cleethorpes and Lincolnshire, showing off some new twists and dives as they flew over. 

How on earth do they make it look so easy? 

This little guy is in training to be an explosive search dog, he'll be doing an important job when he's a fully licensed detection dog.

People I've spoken to in Cleethorpes enjoyed the new manoeuvres from the Red Arrows.

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Here they are again, the main attraction of the day the Red Arrows!  

Here's how Edinburgh's Armed Forces Day began earlier this afternoon.

The Prime Minister and HRH Duke of Kent take their seats ahead of the parade in Cleethorpes.

Despite the upheaval earlier in the week David Cameron has said it was always his intention to attend Armed Forces Day, to celebrate the work our servicemen and women do. 

The military band march around the castle grounds in Caerphilly in Wales.

There's also displays of military equipment, demonstrations and activities in the park. 

There's been some spectacular aerial events for Armed Forces Day today.

The national showpiece in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, has played host to some of the most breath-taking.

Here's a selection of images:

APCopyright: AP

PACopyright: PA

PACopyright: PA

PACopyright: PA

BBCCopyright: BBC

The Prime Minister is in Cleethorpes - and he's been joined by HRH the Duke of Kent.

Here they are observing the RAF band.