Medals and celebrations

We recently celebrated Armed Forces day here in Bridgend. For some it’s a one off day watching soldiers, reservists, cadets and veterans march through Bridgend town centre. For me it’s a longer and busy time. Monday 20th June started here in Bridgend with the raising of the flag for Armed Forces week outside of the Bridgend Council office with local veterans.

Tuesday brought a meeting to discuss the enquiry into the funding and organisation of cadet forces. I am Vice Chair of the Cadet and Reserves All Party group and both organisations are subject to current inquires into their work. It is also hoped to make them more attractive to those who leave the armed forces as a means for passing on or continuing to use their skills and knowledge.

Next came the launch of my photographic exhibition in the Commons to celebrate Armed Forces week. My aim was to show how our armed forces are not only engaged in theatres of war but are all around us. I used the community of the Commons to explore who had been in the forces and the work they now do. We started with only 25 photographs of MP’s, Police, door keepers, committee clerks etc all of whom had served in the forces. Alongside two photographs, showing them in the forces and now, there was text detailing the service and how it impacted on their role now. It was a very emotional launch by Mr Speaker Bercow who insisted he wanted it run again next year and to include the House of Lords. Mr Speaker also presented 5 veterans badges to some of those present one of whom commented that told me they had been less afraid under hostile fire than when accepting the Veterans Badge from the Speaker of the House.

On Saturday the rain held off for the Armed Forces day Parade here in Bridgend and the march to the cenotaph, prayers and the concert went well. The voices of the children from Bryntirion Junior School rose above everyone to recite the Lord’s Prayer in a most moving way.

I also met up with a number of Veterans who hold the Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) Medal. On their behalf I asked the following question to the Leader of the House

Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab): In 2004, the King and Government of Malaysia awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal to soldiers who fought in the Malaysian jungle between 1957 and 1966. That medal was initially refused to veterans by the British Government. It has now been accepted, but veterans are not allowed to wear it in public. According to a written answer from the Ministry of Defence of 26 April, the review was currently with the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister and it was hoped that a decision would be made after Easter. It is now long after Easter, and we are still waiting. On behalf of people such as Ted Williams, who is national secretary of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association, may we have a statement as soon as possible so that as we approach armed forces week they can wear their medal publicly, with pride, in memory of the 340 troops who died fighting bravely in those jungles?

Sir George Young: This is a long-standing campaign that has a lot of support on both sides of the House, and I commend the hon. Lady for raising it. I will raise with the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister exactly what she has said. If it is indeed the case that a decision rests with them, I will use what influence I have to try to get a decision before the summer recess.

We are still awaiting a decision.

The recognition and thanks continued this week with two major events. As Chair of the All Party RAF group I hosted the RAF Homecoming reception for 100 personnel who had recently served in Afghanistan. This is an opportunity for Parliament to say thank you to members of the RAF and the RAF Regiment for the work they have done in all of our names. A hot day made worse by the three coaches brining people to the reception being stuck in traffic with no air conditioning. It all went extremely well and plenty of beer and food was available and standing on the terrace overlooking the river was a pleasant experience for everyone. MP’s then played tour guide and showed the RAF around the Palace of Westminster and many even had the opportunity to hear some of Dr Fox’s statement discussion in the Commons.

Amongst my guests where 16 who had received awards for bravery while on duty in Afghanistan. They were invited back for a dinner to recognise their award and their service. This was a very emotional event as a few were invited to describe the circumstances associated with their award. Several of the men and women spoke; many had different roles and responsibilities. The common theme was the modesty with which they spoke of bravery under fire, of how their team had been involved and they had just been singled out for the award, and how honoured they felt to have their work recognised. None felt that they had been doing more than just doing their job.

As we approach the recess there are many Defence Select Committee meetings each week as we prepare our reports for publication and take final evidence. One witness made an interesting statement this week. He commented that the formal notion of a veteran had only existed since 2002 when the Labour government introduced the first Minister for Veterans. The concept is one that we have all embraced and is a central part of our recognition of past and present service to our country.