Veterans

I saw a lot of veterans this weekend. I was playing soldiers and spent Saturday at an event at the Historic Dockyard in Chatham. Melt down all the medals that were on display and you could build an aircraft carrier.

It was also interesting talking to many of the veterans and hearing about their experiences, not of the conflicts in which they'd been involved, but of their experiences since leaving the service.

Although there were a lot of men and women there wearing their Second World War campaign medals, the majority were those that were wearing the decorations from the numerous small wars and conflicts that the British Armed Forces have been involved in since 1945.

But all agreed on one thing. Whilst the WWII veterans did not always come back to the 'land fit for heroes' that they'd expected, they felt that they had a much better deal than those that served after them or are currently serving.

Two of the recurring themes were firstly the way in which veterans are treated in other countries, particularly the US. None of these old (and not so old) boys and girls felt that the country owed them a living, but all felt that, having served that country and in most cases risked their lives, there should be some benefits other than a not particularly good pension and a small veterans badge, something along the lines of the US Veterans Administration.

The second recurring theme was the frustration that they felt, having served their country, in seeing illegal immigrants or clerics preaching hatred against Britain whilst enjoying the freedom to do so because he was living in Britain, receiving better treatment and more benefits than they were. As one WWII veteran said, if it hadn't been for his generation fighting as they did and destroying the fascist German regime, many of these people would have been exterminated as 'Enemies of the Reich'.

Whilst in the UK we are seeing more of a recognition of the commitment and sacrifice that the Veterans have made, it has been an uphill struggle. Will we ever see something similar to the VA. Unlikely, as it may mean MPs giving up the 'John Lewis list'.

The second thing that was mentioned impersonators, 'Walts' in military jargon after the character in the film 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty'. As I have said, there were a lot of gongs on display at this event, and it was assumed that all were genuinely earned, but this is not always the case. There are people who will swagger around with a chest full of medals bought from e-bay, because in this country they can. In many countries, to pass yourself off as a serviceman or woman, past or present, is illegal. In the UK, at present and as far as I can establish, it is not. Many of the veterans felt that these people devalued the awards that they had received as well as insulted the memories of those who had died in service.

So why will the Government not have a law put on the statute books. they seem keen enough to vote through lots of nannying laws that impinge on individual freedoms. Again, many of the Veterans saw the lack of action as a real slap in the face.

Rant over.