Today, is the second official Veterans Day. So, what's that all about ?, I hear you ask. Well, I could go off on one of my "It's all a PR stunt, by the Government" routines, but I won't. The reason I won't, is because I am a Veteran myself. Ok, I will but not just now. Anyway, back to my point. What's that all about ?. First of all, you have to ask. What is a Veteran?. Now, people would usually reply to that by saying someone who served during the First, or Second World Wars. Having a picture of an older gentleman, medals attached to his blazer, and wearing a berret. Marching past the Cenotaph, in their minds.
This is true ofcourse, but being a Veteran has change over the last few years. This is the official classification of a Veteran.
"A Veteran is anyone who has served in HM Armed Forces at any time (including National Servicemen and Reservists), irrespective of length of service."
So, it actually means anyone who has served in H.M.Forces, including those that serve now. I'll come back to this point later. What is Veterans day about ?. The official line is.
"Veterans Day is both a celebration of the contribution made by all those who have served in the Armed Forces, and a means of raising public awareness of veterans issues."
What's the difference between Veterans Day, and Rememberance Sunday ?. Again, here's the official line.
"The focus of Veterans Day is on celebrating both the past, and the continuing contributions of Veterans living in our communities today. The intention is that Veterans Day will become as familiar and respected as Remembrance Sunday, which remembers, and honours those who died serving their country."
That's all well, and good. But I'd like to take you back to what Veterans Day is all about. The official line is to celebrate the contribution made, by those that have served. Also apparently to raise awareness of Veterans issues. Let's think about that for a moment.
As we all know (time for that rant of mine), our forces have been in combat since 2001. Longer than most campaigns undertaken by H.M. Forces previously. With the obvious exception of Northern Ireland. But, the current campaigns are not Northern Ireland, they are a completely different beast all together. Public opinion hasn't been the greatest, towards our Government, and forces being involved with these campaigns in Iraq, and Afghanistan. Infact, I find it shocking that people, cannot differenciate between the Government, and our forces doing their job.
So what do the Government come up with, to try and rally the public behind our forces ?, yes, Veterans Day. Don't get me wrong, I think it's an excellent idea. I believe our Veterans should be treated with the utmost respect. Much in the same way the United States treats their Veterans.
Unfortunately, this is not the case here. I strongly believe it's just a PR stunt by our illustrious leaders, that are in power at the moment. Sadly, it hasn't worked, not only for raising awareness of Veterans issues. Also for celebrating the contribution that our Veterans have made to safety, and security of this United Kingdom.
In truth, the Government don't give a toss about our Veterans. I know that for a fact, being a Veteran myself. Not only our older Veterans, but our younger Veterans of today. It's the Government that deal with Veteran issues, not the public. It's themselves that have to be more aware of the plight of Veterans.
Our Government does not do enough for our Veterans. I'm not talking about myself here, I'm talking about those that can't fight for themselves anymore. They just get left to their own devices by our Government. At any one time, there are over 1,000 ex forces living on the streets of London. If that's what it is like in London ?, then what is like in the rest of our cities ?. That's just homelessness. What about those that are living in poverty ?, living with mental health problems ?, the ones that have commited suicide ?, their families that have been left to deal with the aftermath ?. These are the real Veteran issues.
Sure, some Veterans are entitled to a War Pension, under the War Pensions Scheme (injuries, ill health, death, caused by, or during service, and claimed before 06th April 2005). Then, they changed to the new Armed Forces Compensation Scheme ( injury, ill health or death is caused by service on or after 06th April 2005). I'm sure you have all heard of the stories of the tiny amounts of compensation that H.M. Forces have received, for injuries etc: Compare that to the silly amounts of compensation that some money grabber got for stubbing their thumb in an office at an RAF base.
Again, this is a real Veterans issue. I don't see the Government sorting that out. I don't see our Government, treating our Veterans with the respect that they hope the public will give our Veterans. As I've said, to me it's a PR stunt. Why a PR stunt ?, simple. It's to try and give the 'public' more pride in our forces. Inturn, this will hopefully take away from the political side of our forces fighting, and dying in far off lands.
The Government do not spend millions on promoting Veterans Day. They don't even publicise it very much. Infact, it's almost all left to which ever city is hosting the main events. This year it is Blackpool, why Blackpool ?. That's an easy one to answer. It's where the 'Service Personnel and Veterans Agency' (SPVA), is based. There are events being held all over the country, but again this is left to those orginising, to publicise it.
If we are going to have a Veterans Day ?, then let's do it properly. Let's give our Veterans the respect they deserve. Not just from the public, but especially from our Government. Let's see the Government look after our Veterans, instead of using them for publicity. We all know Veterans, wether it be ourselves, family, friends, or even friends of friends. Veterans do not want medals, don't want everything handed to them, they just want a little respect for what they have done, and continue to do for OUR country. If you are in a city or village that is celebrating Veterans Day ?. Take part in it, show our Veterans that you appreciate them. Shake their hands, pat them on the back, and say thank you. That's all it takes folks.
Links
Veterans Day
Veterans Week
Veterans UK (SPVA)