We must not forget that our veterans need support

Every right-thinking person has been shocked and saddened this week by the scenes we have seen in Afghanistan, as desperately terrified citizens seek to escape the Taliban by grabbing on to the outside of departing aircraft.

And equally, one must feel great sadness at the plight of many of our veterans who served in Afghanistan. At the start of the week there were many reports in the media – The News included – in which the view of veterans were reported, with many saying they felt let down and betrayed by the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan. Having repelled the Taliban during the first decade of this millennium, the third decade sees the Taliban back in power. It’s understandable why there’s a feeling of powerlessness and despair.

With the rest of the world, we watch Afghanistan and hope for the best possible resolution to the current situation, but with the fear that even the best possible solution may not be a particularly palatable one.

So back to our veterans. The event we report today, run by Help for Heroes for veterans in this area, is a stark example of why we need to make sure there is sufficient support for those who come out of forces life. The stories told are sobering; stories of broken men and women who need help to cope with either what has happened to them or what they have seen while on tours of duty.

Events such as that at South Parade Pier are vital to keep the issue in the public eye. We don’t say this out of any flagwaving jingoism, but out of the need to look after fellow humans, particularly those who have risked heir lives. The decency they showed in helping keep peace in a country on the other side of the world, thus keeping its citizens and the rest of the world safer by preventing terrorist groups from taking root, needs to be shown to them. We must never forget this.