Honour all brave boys
EX-PARA MP JOINS OUR FIGHT FOR WAR TRAUMA VICTIMS
REMEMBRANCE Sunday should be used to honour the bravery of British forces fighting Islamic State as well as the war dead, PM Theresa May has said.
Mrs May, who is attending the national commemoration at the Cenotaph along with the Queen, said: “As we are united in remembrance of those who have made sacrifices, so we are united in our gratitude to those who keep us safe.”
Meanwhile, a teen musician due to play the Last Post in Salford, Greater Manchester had to miss it after thugs broke his jaw.
TODAY the Queen and political leaders will gather at London’s Cenotaph at 11am to commemorate our war dead.
But Dan Jarvis, Labour MP for Barnsley Central, says we should also remember the living who suffer posttraumatic stress disorder from foreign wars.
The Sunday People Save Our Soldiers campaign is calling for an independent investigation by MPs into the crippling illness, plus action from veterans minister Mark Lancaster to aid victims. And for more NHS funding to help servicemen and women trying to return to civilian life.
THIS has been another important year of remembrance. The people of Britain and the Commonwealth marked the centenary of the First World War naval battle of Jutland and the Somme. The Somme was a particularly deadly battle – 20,000 British soldiers died on the first day alone. It was during that war the term “shell shock” was invented. It was used to describe the reaction of some soldiers to the trauma of battle. Today we call it post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
PTSD is a major mental health problem which can have a devastating impact on veterans and their families.
If left untreated it may lead to substance abuse, self-harm, and in the worst cases, suicide.
It is treatable, provided veterans get the right help at the right time. The NHS and military charities such as Combat Stress have done a great deal to help but there is still more to be done.
The Government must convene an investigation by its departments, i nsurance companies and military charities to improve understanding and treatment of the problem. When people buy a poppy they don’t just think of the fallen but of the ongoing support so many need.
When they wear a poppy they show solidarity with families grieving for loved ones and veterans still affected.
So far this year we can be thankful that no service personnel have died on operations. If this continues, 2016 will be the first year since 1968 that the UK has not suffered an operational death. But our responsibility remains.
Not to celebrate but to commemorate. Remembering the past, respecting the present, and hoping for a better future.
The Sunday People won a victory last week when Defence Secretary Michael Fallon gave the charity Combat Stress a share of £2million from bank fines to help PTSD sufferers.
Money will also go to the British Legion, Armed Forces charity SSAFA, Poppyscotland and Connect Assist. It will fund a 24/7 helpline, website and mobile app.