Local MP Katy Clark took time to remember and recognise the sacrifice that men and women have made for their country this weekend.
Speaking after attending the local Remembrance Day Parade in Kilwinning Katy stated, “The contribution made by men and women who serve in the Armed Forces both currently and in the past should be fully recognised. The Veteran’s Badge is a measure of recognition which is available to all men and women who have served in HM Armed Forces or Home Guard. I urge all veterans who have not applied for the badge to get in touch with me and I can assist them in receiving the award.”
She continued, “We must recognise the sacrifice that our countrymen and women have made in serving their country, not only in the First and Second World Wars, but in all subsequent conflicts by adding the names of those whose lives have been sacrificed in conflicts since World War Two to local war memorials.
Katy Clark MP further added that she welcomed measures that the Government has introduced to assist veterans including increasing funding to charities such as ‘Combat Stress’, piloting community based mental health programmes, and assisting service personnel in their transitions to new careers through the Career Transition Programme. However, the local MP also expressed some concerns which she has raised with the Ministry of Defence.
“I believe we need to be doing a great deal more particularly for those returning injured from conflicts who have to cope with the disability inflicted by their war time experiences for the rest of their lives. Too often such veterans have to struggle to get adequate housing and adaptions such as rails or suitable showers so that they are able to cope with their disability. It is shameful that we feel able to send the services off to war but not look after the wounded to the best of our ability on their return”.