The Queen met serving military personnel from both Iraq and Afghanistan today as the nation marked its first Armed Forces Day.

She met members of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh, at one of more than 200 events organised to honour the country's troops.

As well as inspecting a guard of honour and two Challenger 2 tanks stationed in the barracks courtyard, the Queen was shown a number of displays highlighting life within the barracks and field operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During her visit, the Queen awarded serving military servicemen operational medals at a reception for 300 personnel and their families.

As part of her visit to the barracks ahe presented operational medals to the two youngest soldiers from the regiment to serve on tour last year.

Trooper Grant Hutchinson, 21, from Falkirk, said he had only completed one year of training before being deployed to Iraq. "It was amazing to be asked to receive the medal from the Queen. It was such a tremendous honour and I am really chuffed," he said.

"I cannot believe it, I am really lucky to get the medal and even luckier to get the medal from the Queen."

Elsewhere approximately 30,000 people turned out to the Historic Dockyard in Chatham, Kent to officially mark the country's first Armed Forces Day.

Serving personnel and young recruits from all three branches of the armed forces The Royal Navy, Army and RAF lined up to greet the dignitaries as they arrived at Thunderbolt Pier.

The official party included prime minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the head of the Armed Forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and Defence Minister Kevan Jones.

Both the Queen and the Prince of Wales released messages today highlighting the UK's "deep and enduring gratitude" to its past and present soldiers, sailors and airmen.

Approximately 200 community events have been organised in villages and towns around the county to honour existing personnel and veterans, with major events taking place today in Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham and Nottingham.

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