Veterans honoured
4th September 2009
Hemel Hempstead MP, Mike Penning, presented veterans badges to 71 local people who have served their country in the armed forces at a ceremony on Thursday 3rd September. This was the fourth such ceremony to be held since August 2008.
The veterans badge scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Defence to recognise veterans for their service to Queen and country and to raise the profile of our armed forces.
The presentation ceremony was held at the Royal British Legion Club in Queensway. Up to 200 family and wellwishers were welcomed by Club Chairman Peter Taylor and Chairman of the Hemel Hempstead Branch of the Royal British Legion, Royal Navy veteran Peter Gibbons, acted as Master of Ceremonies.
Mike Penning said:
“I am absolutely delighted that so many local people have signed up to receive the veterans’ badge. When I first contacted the MoD, they told me that fewer than 10 per cent of eligible recipients had applied for a badge in Dacorum. I am pleased that we are beginning to redress that.
“Every recipient has served their country and I urge them to wear their badge regularly and with pride.”
On the same evening Royal British Legion branch organiser Colin Cootes was presented with the Union Flag that was flown outside the Civic Centre during Armed Forces week in June.
Mr Cootes was also presented with a certificate in recognition of his service to the Royal British Legion by County Chairman Mr Jeff Mason.
Mike Penning MP also presented the branch with a cheque for £350 – funds which he raised as a result of completing questionnaires for lobby organisations. Mr Penning was also in for a surprise when branch President, Major Bob Fisher (Retd), presented Mike with a plaque in recognition of his support and fundraising for the Hemel Hempstead branch.
Mike said:
“I am completely surprised by this and I am deeply honoured. I very much support the outstanding work of the branch in looking after the welfare of local veterans. We are, once again, in a situation where our brave young servicemen and women are risking their lives on our behalf and the need for the welfare work of the branch is set to continue long into the future.”
The veterans badge application form can be downloaded from Mike Penning’s website www.mikepenning.com.
Photo: Courtesy Silver Images Photography www.silver-images.net
