Celebrating Veterans Day

Today St Helens joined the whole country in holding its Veteran’s Day, which I attended. I am now launching a campaign to ensure every veteran in the St Helens area receives the badge for which they are now eligible.

I was extremely proud to attend our first Veterans’ Day, when we also celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. Now that the Ministry of Defence has opened eligibility for Veterans’ Badges to every man and woman who served in our armed forces prior to 1994 we must do everything we can to ensure everyone eligible does receive their badge.

The many acts of heroism and sacrifice made by our veterans and their families must not be forgotten. This is why this government established the Veteran’s Badge in the first place, and why I urge every veteran living in St Helens to get their badge and to wear it with pride.

I will be very happy to help anyone who wishes to apply so please get in touch with my office and we will do all we can to make the necessary arrangements.

There are two badges – the Veterans Badge, for anyone who served in any of the three branches of the armed services and enlisted prior to 1994. This includes those who served in the Home Guard, the Polish Forces under UK Command, and members of the Cyprus Regiment, during WW2; everyone who served between 1939 and 1945; veterans of the Suez Canal Zone 1951 - 1954; and war widows and widowers who receive a war pension. The second is the UK Merchant Seafarers Veterans’ Badge for all members of the merchant marine during wartime.