15 May 2008 - Veterans Day 27 June 2008
Celebrating Veterans at the heart of our Community
Why?Can you imagine celebrating your 20th birthday in the sweltering heat or bone chilling cold of a foreign land? Plotting a route for the wounded through minefields or consoling a wounded child when you cannot speak their language? These are just a few of the challenges that face members of our Armed Forces. However it is not just their military service that makes veterans special it is their continuing contribution to the fabric of our communities through the use of the skills they learned whilst in the Armed Forces that makes them unique. It is in recognition of this that the Ministry of Defence launched the annual Veterans Day on 27 June 2006.
What?
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. It takes the form of a nationwide celebration. It is not about commemoration and therefore does not replicate Remembrance Day.
When?
Initiated in 2006 the annual UK Veterans Day sought to raise the public profile of Veterans and the support that is available for this diverse community. Although this is only the third year this annual celebration on the 27th of June is rapidly developing into a nationwide celebration through which we aim to.highlight the following key messages:
¨ All ex Service personnel are Veterans, whatever their age, background or service experience
¨ Veterans continue to contribute to society through the transferable skills they have acquired during their military career
¨ A wide range of support and advice is available to the Veterans community
Where?
As veterans are an important part of the local community, the Ministry of Defence works with a wide range of organisations and individuals throughout the country in offering advice and, in many cases, financial assistance in organising Veterans Day events. In 2007, of the 250 known local events scattered across the UK, almost half received financial assistance from the Ministry of Defence. All of these Veterans Day events recognised the importance of our ex-Service personnel and sought to place them at the heart of their communities. Within the 250 events were 17 larger flagship events in cities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the year’s national event being held in Birmingham. This year, preparations have started early with 35 cities already planning flagship events.
Taking Part
If you are interested in what you have read and would like to attend or participate in a Veterans Day event in your region this year, or are thinking of organising an event next year, please contact one of our officers listed here.
Blackpool to Host National Veterans Day
Blackpool has been chosen to host the 2008 National Veterans Day event. The announcement was made by Derek Twigg MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans who said “I am pleased to announce that, alongside a huge range of events in other towns and cities across the UK, the town that will hold the main National Veterans Day event in 2008 is Blackpool”
To view BFBS coverage of National Veterans Day launch event in London click here.
To view coverage of BBC North West Tonight National Veterans Day announcement click here.
To read and view coverage of the Blackpool Gazette article click here.
pdf of Blackpool's proposed events for Veterans Day 2008 click here.
Funding for Veterans Day 2008
The MOD welcomes applications for funding assistance from communities and associations who wish to organise a Veterans Day event in their community. A link to the Veterans Day general information and criteria for funding are detailed below.
If you would like to receive funding application forms, please contact Gareth Legg on 0207 8070966
or email; gareth.legg679@mod.uk