Information on Loughborough

BOROUGH TO MARK NATIONAL VETERANS DAY

Posted on 25/06/2008

veterans

THE Mayor of Charnwood is encouraging residents to nominate ex-Armed Forces personnel for a Veterans Badge – as the Borough prepares to mark National Veterans Day for the first time.

Cllr Stephen Campbell is seeking to recognise residents who live in the Borough that have served their country as part of National Veterans Day on Friday, June 27th.

The Veterans Badge was introduced by the Ministry of Defence in May 2004 and is intended to generate a sense of identity among all Armed Forces veterans living in the community.

Charnwood is looking to honour veterans living in the Borough by presenting them with badges at a number of special ceremonies later in the year – while there will be a special display in Loughborough Market Place on Sunday (June 29th).

Cllr Campbell, who will be handing over the badges, said: “I would consider it an honour to recognise those people who have served this country in the Armed Forces.

“We don’t often think of veterans as young people but anybody who has served in our Armed Forces in a veteran.

“These people then return to civilian life and bring some amazing skills to our community. We should all recognise their commitment to serve our country and to serve our local communities.”

The display takes place in Loughborough’s Market Place between 12pm and 4pm on Sunday and is the first time that Charnwood has marked the event.

It will be based around the theme of services available to, or provided by, veterans and will include the Royal British Legion and the Loughborough War Memorial Museum Trust.

Organisations who recruit veterans, such as the police, fire service and the local Territorial Army, will also be attending.

Anyone who attends the event and is wearing a Veterans Badge will be entitled to a free cup of tea or coffee at the Loughborough Town Hall Café, which will be open from 10am to 4pm.

More than half a million Veterans Badges have been handed out to ex-servicemen and women across the country and anyone who has served in the Armed Forces, irrespective of time or conditions, may apply.

To nominate someone for a Veterans Badge, simply send in their name, age, address, national service number and details of their Armed Forces service history to Veterans Badge, The Office of Mayor, Charnwood Borough Council, Southfield Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2TX.