The Royal Air Force Amateur Radio Society - to which I have belonged for a long time - is very involved with RAF 100 celebrations. There are special transmitting stations which can be contacted worldwide, radio transmission conditions permitting.
There are also many displays by the Society at air shows and radio related events. A great celebration is being achieved.
Another celebration, for me anyway, but with no connection to the specific connection to the RAF, is the 1000th. anniversary of the founding by King Canute of Buckfast Abbey in Devon. There has been many events so far since earlier this year with more to come.
I had the honour of being invited to a special service in May, which was a civic affair with the attendance of two Cardinals, one of whom was a Papal Legate from Sweden (Catholics here will realize that is was a special day with two 'big guns' plus others of lesser degree). Yesterday saw me there again as part of the Community celebrations. That was a much more private event but one which I have been looking forward to for some while - just praying that I would still be alive to attend it.
On a military note the monks who were priests and British, mostly became Chaplains in the second world war. The foreign ones became a local firefghting and first aid team for the duration. Catholic Chaplains were always noted for being at the front line, in fact one, who only recently died at 99, was captured but did manage to escape. Another was on a beach in the Normandy retreat. The unit he was with was asked to write something home as it seemed, at the time, that they may not make it back to Blighty. With a large pile of hurried letters strapped to his helmet he waded out to one of the smaller rescue boats. "Come aboard Father" was a command made, but no, the only thing that went aboard was the letters: he went back to the beach! They did make it back and all eventually were sent back into other theatres of war. I remember him well as he typed a special Latin prayer for me that, at the time I was unable to locate in any books. I still have it and recite it. He died in 1996. Those of us, here, will have many such wonderful memories of those we have loved and known. There is, sadly as well, the reverse side of the sadder memories but from personal experience they are far less that the good ones.
There were many imaginations by some who lived locally during WW2. German aircraft circling over the Abbey were, it was thought, getting signals from the tower. They were, of course taking directions. Anyone who has flown knows old churches are often invaluable compasses.
Another, even wilder comment, was a tunnel being dug for submarines who could reach there up the River Dart. I can't quite see how the subs would have climbed over a couple of weirs, particularly a large one at Totnes which forms the break between the tidal river and fresh water part.