Thanking its troops, Britain marks Armed Forces Day with parades, tributes

LONDON (AP) — Serving troops marched with veterans and cadets through the sun-soaked streets of Cardiff on Saturday as Britain marked its second annual Armed Forces Day.

Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, reviewed the parade, the focus of a national ceremony to honor Britain's military.

"When men and women walk through the streets in uniform like this it makes them feel 10 feet tall," said Captain Jimmy Carroll of the Queen's Dragoon Guards, who served in Afghanistan last year. "The guys out in Afghanistan know that people are out marching today and that the crowds are out. They know that they can come home and come back to massive public support. It is exactly like being a rock star."

Thousands of people were in the Welsh city for the event. A flypast and church service followed the parade, and hundreds of smaller celebrations took place across the country.

It was a deadly week in Afghanistan for the British military, which announced the deaths of eight soldiers. Since the beginning of operations in Afghanistan, 307 British troops have been killed. There are about 10,000 British troops in Afghanistan, mainly focused in the volatile southern Helmand province.

Armed Forces Day was created last year amid criticism that the country didn't do enough to honor its military.

The queen sent a message of support to mark the day, which she said celebrated "servicemen and women past and present, and the cadet forces."

"The men and women of our Armed Forces have always been admirable examples of professionalism and courage," her message said. "Then as now, they perform their duties in often the most difficult and dangerous of circumstances, both at home and overseas."

At Wimbledon, 14 members of the armed forces were invited to watch the tennis tournament from the Royal Box, and were given a standing ovation by the center court crowd.