Today is Veterans Day and I want to take this opportunity to thank those who have fought for this country – not just in the first and second world wars.

I think that there should be more national recognition of Veterans Day. The national Veterans Day, which is 27 June, was introduced last year to recognise both the service veterans have given to this country and their continuing contribution to the community.

I am running a Veterans Day event on 11th July at Swanshurst School with local veterans and pupils at the school. The event will be a wonderful chance for us to celebrate the resource that veterans offer our society and give students the opportunity to speak with veterans and learn about their experience. In the modern age where young people are often seen, incorrectly, as a problem, the experience and values of our veterans could not be more relevant.

Veteran’s Badges were recently extended to include all those who served in HM Armed Forces up to 31 December 1984 which means that all those who served during the Falklands Conflict in 1982 can now apply.
 
The government has also introduced a badge to formally recognise the contribution made by the ‘Bevin Boys’ who worked in the UK coalfields during and immediately after World War Two. Famous Bevin Boys included Sir Jimmy Savile, Lord Brian Rix and the Eric Morecambe. The application for the new Badge will be introduced towards the end of the year, with a view to awarding the first Badge in March next year to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the demobbing of the last Bevin Boy.

Alongside this, the government has also introduced a 'Land Army' badge for the famous 'Land Girls' who worked on the farms in this country during the war. We must also commemorate those who made sacrifices at home during the war and these badges at last gives the Bevin Boys and the Land Army the recognition they deserve.

Anyone who would like to apply for a Veteran’s badge, Land Army badge or a Bevin Boy’s badge can contact Steve McCabe’s office on 0121 443 3878.