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2008
Celebrating Veterans at the heart of our Community
Why?Can you imagine celebrating your 20th birthday in the sweltering heat or bone chilling cold of a foreign land? Plotting a route for the wounded through minefields or consoling a wounded child when you cannot speak their language? These are just a few of the challenges that face members of our Armed Forces. However it is not just their military service that makes veterans special it is their continuing contribution to the fabric of our communities through the use of the skills they learned whilst in the Armed Forces that makes them unique. It is in recognition of this that the Ministry of Defence launched the annual Veterans Day on 27 June 2006.
What?
Veterans Day is both a celebration of the contribution made by all those who
have served in the Armed Forces and a means of raising public awareness of
Veterans issues. It takes the form of a nationwide celebration. It is not
about commemoration and therefore does not replicate Remembrance Day.
When?
Initiated in 2006 the annual UK Veterans Day sought to raise the public profile
of Veterans and the support that is available for this diverse community.
Although this is only the third year this annual celebration on the 27th of
June is rapidly developing into a nationwide celebration through which we
aim to.highlight the following key messages:
¨ All ex Service personnel are Veterans, whatever their age, background
or service experience
¨ Veterans continue to contribute to society through the transferable
skills they have acquired during their military career
¨ A wide range of support and advice is available to the Veterans community
Where?
As veterans are an important part of the local community, the Ministry of
Defence works with a wide range of organisations and individuals throughout
the country in offering advice and, in many cases, financial assistance in
organising Veterans Day events. In 2007, of the 250 known local events scattered
across the UK, almost half received financial assistance from the Ministry
of Defence. All of these Veterans Day events recognised the importance of
our ex-Service personnel and sought to place them at the heart of their communities.
Within the 250 events were 17 larger flagship events in cities across England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the year’s national event
being held in Birmingham. This year, preparations have started early with
35 cities already planning flagship events.
Taking Part
If you are interested in what you have read and would like to attend or participate
in a Veterans Day event in your region this year, or are thinking of organising
an event next year, please contact one of our officers
listed here.
Blackpool to Host National Veterans Day
Blackpool has been chosen to host the 2008 National Veterans Day event. The announcement was made by Derek Twigg MP, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans who said “I am pleased to announce that, alongside a huge range of events in other towns and cities across the UK, the town that will hold the main National Veterans Day event in 2008 is Blackpool”
To view BFBS coverage of National Veterans Day launch event in London click here.
To view coverage of BBC North West Tonight National Veterans Day announcement click here.
To read and view coverage of the Blackpool Gazette article
click
here.
pdf of Blackpool's proposed events for Veterans Day 2008
click here.
Funding for Veterans Day 2008
The MOD welcomes applications for funding assistance from communities and associations who wish to organise a Veterans Day event in their community. A link to the Veterans Day general information and criteria for funding are detailed below.
If you would like to receive funding application forms, please contact Gareth
Legg on 0207 8070966
or email; gareth.legg679@mod.uk
Event Organisers Information
If you are planning to organise an event to mark Veterans Day for 2008 or future years, please complete the details below including a brief idea of your potential events and we will send you the Veterans Day Event Criteria information. We will also ensure you receive the Veterans Day Newsletter by email.
Newsletters
Regular newsletters will be published offering readers information, ideas, news and articles about Veterans Day and associated issues. To download previous copies please click on the relevant links'
Newsletter issue 7 October 2007
Newsletter issue 8 December 2007
Newsletter issue 9 January 2008
Newsletter issue 10 March 2008
HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge Presentation Ceremonies
The presenting of the Veterans Badge as part of Veterans
Day events is likely to prove most popular in local communities. Details of
ideas for presentation events will be posted on this site in the near future.
For more information about HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge please go to the
following link:
http://www.veterans-uk.info/vets_badge/vets_badge.htm
Ideas for badge presentation ceremonies.
Publicity and Press
The Ministry of Defence Communications Plan for Veterans
Day 2008 details our goals, themes and messages and the communications support
available to organisers of Veterans Day Events. It
can be accessed here.
During the coming months we will support event organisers with a range of
possible articles, press releases
and news stories that may interest your local media. Please regularly check
the web site for new updates. You are encouraged to contact the Regional Defence
Press Officers click here
who can help promote your local event.
To help us promote your event, we suggest that you log your details in our ‘Calendar of Events’ found at www.veterans-uk.info . Upon opening the page, find the link ‘Events Calendar’. To register your events simply click on the link. To let us know about your forthcoming events please click here . Fill in all the necessary boxes, read the terms and conditions and press ‘submit’. Your event details and contact points can be viewed by anyone visiting the SPVA website. If you need further help or advice, please contact 01253 333882.
Requesting SPVA Presence at Veterans Day Events
If you would like to have SPVA present at your event, please contact:
Nikki Jackson/Chrissie Butterworth
External Communications
Room 6108
Government Buildings
Norcross
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY5 3WP
veterans.help@spva.gsi.gov.uk (For
the attention of Nicola Jackson or Chrissie Butterworth)
Tel - 01253 338711
Fax - 01253 332219
Please note SPVA has limited resources but will endeavour to assist wherever possible.
Veterans Day Logo
Event organisers are permitted to use the Veterans Day logo as long as it is used solely for the purpose of promoting Veterans Day events. All printed material using the Veterans Day logo must be submitted to julian.mineur@spva.gsi.gov.uk in proof form for approval prior to publication.
Click to download the logos:
hi-resolution logo (colour)
low-resolution logo (colour)
black & white logo
Who to contact
