NEVER FORGET
As the world honours millions who fell in the Great War, a heartfelt plea: Now treat TODAY’S heroes with the dignity they deserve
IT was the moment we paid tribute to those lost a century ago.
But last night generals and MPs warned that today’s veterans are still being shamefully neglected.
As the centenary of the end of the First World War was marked at emotional events around the globe, ministers were accused of shirking their duty of care under the Armed Forces ‘covenant’.
Service personnel and veterans have the legal right to priority NHS care, decent homes and a good education for their children.
Yet new research suggests that they fare worse than civilians in terms of both health and housing.
Around 50,000 veterans have mental health issues, often sparked by combat stress. Another 6,000 are homeless and 10,000 are in prison or on probation.
Some veterans face the further ordeal of investigations over their tours of duty in Northern Ireland decades ago. Others who have served in Iraq and
Afghanistan have been hounded by ambulance-chasing lawyers.
Lord Dannatt, who was head of the Army from 2006 to 2009, said: ‘Is the Britain of 2018 a fit country for heroes, for our wounded service personnel or grieving families?
‘In many ways, sadly, it is not. The resources committed to alleviating post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental illnesses remain woefully short and the need very great.’
Defence minister Tobias Ellwood, who was a captain in the Royal Green Jackets, said: ‘We need to advance our support for our brave veterans. They served our country well, we owe them a debt of gratitude and I don’t want to see anybody homeless or indeed requiring support or denied the support that they deserve.’
Johnny Mercer, a Tory MP who saw action in Afghanistan, said improvements had been made in looking after veterans but progress had been slow and unambitious.
There are around 2.5million veterans in the UK, although some estimates suggest there may be as many as 6.2million in the wider exservice community, including families.
New findings from Plaid Cymru suggest 50,000 veterans have mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder brought on by conflict. Some suffer crippling flashbacks, nightmares, depression and anxiety attacks. Many fall into chronic alcohol and drug abuse, homelessness and crime.
Since November 2003, at least 274 have taken their own lives. The analysis said a further 6,000 veterans have nowhere to live and 10,000 have been convicted of crime.
Working-age veterans are less likely to be employed than the general population and face discrimination from employers.
Even military widows can lose out under rules that force them to give up their pensions if they enter a new relationship.
Plaid Cymru MP Liz Saville Roberts said: ‘We remember the sacrifices made by so many in order for us to be here today. But it is not just words that best honour their memory – we need actions too. Action so that their fellow servicemen and women are today treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.
‘It is shocking that in 21st- century Britain
‘Out of sight and out of mind’
66,000 veterans are either homeless, in the justice system or suffering with mental health conditions. We may not forget those that gave their lives, but for today’s suffering veterans it’s a case of out of sight, out of mind.’
Colonel Richard Kemp, who commanded troops in Afghanistan, said: ‘The Government has an enduring responsibility to properly look after the men and women who put their lives on the line for us.
‘Most veterans are not victims. But some are not so fortunate, either because they suffered horrific physical and mental injuries during their service or because they find it hard to adapt to a very different way of life.
‘The Government must not depend on charitable aid. They must ensure they receive the finest possible medical and psychiatric care – if necessary for the rest of their lives – and are not simply thrown at the mercy of an overstretched NHS.
‘Nor should veterans have to fight for every penny of their compensation which they so often have to do. This is all very expensive, but no expense should be spared for those who sacrificed so much for us.’
Labour defence spokesman Nia Griffith said: ‘In spite of the best efforts of many of those working in the sector, too many veterans are still not getting the support that they need.
‘The Government’s long- overdue veterans strategy needs to be far reaching and properly funded. It must strengthen the transition phases and implement proper joined-up thinking to ensure that no veteran who needs support falls through the net.’
The Department of Veterans Affairs is dedicated to caring for ex-service personnel in the United States. It provides comprehensive healthcare services at specialist medical centres and outpatient clinics, and non-healthcare benefits including disability compensation, vocational rehabilitation, education assistance, home loans and life insurance.
At yesterday’s main Remembrance Day event in London Prince Charles laid a wreath at the Cenotaph on behalf of the Queen, who watched the service from a balcony in Whitehall. She was joined by the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cornwall.
The Duchess of Sussex, attending her first Cenotaph parade, stood shoulder to shoulder with the wife of German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier. It was the first time a German leader has laid a wreath there. Comment – Page 16
THE inspiring manner in which the nation has come together to honour the sacrifice of those who died in the Great War is a timely reminder that, even in these fractious days, there is infinitely more that unites us in these islands than divides us.
Against the turbulent backdrop of Brexit negotiations, it confirms the essential truth that while political disputes are transitory, British decency, compassion and national pride are permanent.
But what of today’s military heroes – who fought for this country in more recent conflicts from Goose Green to Helmand? Are they afforded anything like the same dignity or respect as the pale battalions who served a century ago? Sadly, the answer is an emphatic no. For all the fine words politicians spout about the military covenant – the promise made by Government to fighting men and women that they will be looked after once their service is over – many veterans are at best abandoned, at worst persecuted.
Men who served in Northern Ireland face politically motivated prosecution over events that happened nearly 50 years ago and live in constant fear of the knock at the door. Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan are hounded by ambulance- chasing lawyers brandishing bogus compensation writs.
Meanwhile, old soldiers are far more likely than average to suffer dislocation, mental illness, unemployment and homelessness. Yet their welfare is left largely to charities.
Even wearing military uniform in public is frowned on, as if it were a sort of embarrassment, rather than a source of pride. No other country treats its veterans so shabbily. It’s a cruel abrogation of the duty of care the state owes to those who risk their lives on its behalf.
So enough humbug. It’s time to give our veterans the support – and gratitude – they have earned.
Prince Harry has shown an admirable lead with his Invictus Games for disabled veterans and backing for military charities. Politicians must now follow his example.
The dogs must be called off in Ulster, spurious compensation cases from Iraq and Afghanistan treated with the contempt they deserve, and priority given within the NHS and social services to ex-service personnel who struggle to adapt to civilian life.
At this time of national commemoration, ministers must do more than just honour the dead. They must also fulfil their obligations to the living.
Politicians start wars. The least they can do is look after those they send thousands of miles away to do their fighting for them.