Lest We Forget?
Just before Christmas I was invited to attend the Royal Air
Force Association’s annual Christmas lunch in my role as Deputy Mayor. As the
rest of the assembled company tucked into their Christmas puds I rattled my
chain and rose to speak. I started by posing a question: “In what way are
veterans like famous oil paintings?”
The answer? Just as the value of oil paintings increases dramatically when the
artist dies, the true worth of a veteran is only really appreciated when they
“fade away”. (remember the adage that old soldiers never die, they just fade
away)
Quite rightly, we have always remembered those that fell in conflict but, until
now, we have rarely spared a thought for those who didn’t. We recognise them
once a year on Remembrance Day – they’re the ones that jingle as they march
because of the chest-full of medals they wear – but who could pick out a veteran
on any other day of the year?
When the American veterans of the Vietnam war came home, some of them found
themselves shunned by society or vilified because the had lost that particular
campaign. Whilst we have never sunk to that level over here, we have done very
little to support those veterans or recognise what they have contributed to our
nation.
Only recently has the government established a veterans agency to do those very
things and only a couple of years ago did they announce the “Veterans Day” that
has now become an annual event. This year it falls on the 27th June.
Veterans Day is both a celebration of the contribution made by all those who
have served in the Armed Forces - as well as those in Merchant Navy and Fishing
Fleets who have served in support of operations – and a means of raising public
awareness of Veterans issues.
At a recent event hosted by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, the Minister for
Veterans pledged to provide up to £10,000 to each of fifteen “Flagship” cities
who are being invited to draw up plans for Veterans Day events that engage with
the local community and particularly young people. Funding up to £10,000 per
event will also be provided to support smaller community events around the UK.
In 2007 many of these events will be linked to the 25th anniversary of the
Falklands conflict.
The MoD has also launched its own prestigious Press award for regional and local
newspapers that positively engage in reporting Veterans Day events in their
communities. It will also welcome applications for funding assistance from
communities and associations who wish to organise a Veterans Day event in their
community.
There are three key messages that Veterans Day seeks to communicate:
1. The Veterans Community is highly diverse; all ex-Service personnel are
Veterans whatever their age or Service experience.
2. Veterans are special, not just because of their service, but also because of
the contribution they continue to make, to their community and civil employers,
through the transferable skills they have acquired.
3. A wide range of support and advice is available to Veterans, through the
public, charity and the voluntary sector.
The MoD is encouraging communities to put on a whole range of events on the day
and is particularly keen to see a linking of the generations with the
involvement of young people. This year, they are hoping so see more towns
holding ceremonies for the presentation of the Veterans Badge.
Men and women who served in HM Armed Forces before and/or during World War II
are also entitled to a Veterans Badge, including the Home Guard in WWII. To
apply for your badge you can visit www.veteransagency.mod.uk or phone the
Freephone Helpline on 0800 169 2277.
Article from Go Folkestone Newsletter June 2007
