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To: The Rt Hon Matthew Hancock MP (Cabinet Office)

Official Recognition for our Veterans

Fighting for official recognition for our forgotten Veterans and against the appalling treatment by the HD Committee after the recent Medallic recognition review.

Why is this important?

Imagine being asked to lay your life on the line for your Country, now imagine being given no option to do otherwise, this was the case for many of our National Servicemen. Imagine further being forced to stand and watch Nuclear explosions, without the knowledge it would cause you and your families serious medical issues and often death. Imagine you and your family running the risk of being shot or blown up every day, not in a war zone but here in the UK by PIRA just for wanting to defend our fellow countrymen. I’ll not ask you to imagine dozens of other scenarios our armed forces were asked to perform as part of their ‘normal duties’. You haven’t been asked to because others before us have done so for generations. They have previously asked for nothing in return, but we think they deserve an official symbol of this country’s gratitude.

This sounds like something any government would want to do doesn’t it? After all Her Majesty has already authorised similar recognition for our Kin in Australia and New Zealand. But Hang on, this governments says absolutely not!!

This doesn’t sound like something that could possibly happen in Britain in 2015. But for our Veterans reaching the twilight of their life see a Country that has forgotten these selfless acts of loyalty and duty in maintaining the freedoms we enjoy today.

The scandal of a recent medal review has been swept under a carpet and kept out of the public domain with Freedom of Information acts being rejected in order to protect a Government which openly sneers at our brave Veterans. Official documents will not be released, why?

Sign the petition now to make sure that the Cabinet Office and MOD hears our message: stop ignoring our veterans contribution and issue an NDM. Please click here to add your name:

Wherever you stand on our Armed Forces, treating our veterans in such a shabby and disrespectful way is not the decency mark of a civilised society. 38 Degrees members stand for fairness, and we work together to make Britain a more compassionate place. Fighting for recognition for our forgotten Veterans and against the appalling treatment of those most willing to protect our freedoms will help create the kind of Britain we want to see.

This is an issue of great National importance as it reflects the way in which our country values and recognises the commitment of those young men and women who keep our country safe and free. It takes into account the unique circumstances of serving in the armed forces, the loss of a high level of personal freedom, the inherent risk of being a member of the armed forces, being subject to Military law and the commitment of the individual to put country before self. It recognised and honours both those who serve now and will serve in the future and those who have served, been injured, maimed and killed in the line of duty regardless of when or where that duty took place.

Can you sign the petition now to give our veterans the recognition they deserve.

How it will be delivered

Depending on the number of signatures gained, but we will certainly consider hand delivery and a press conference.

Category

Links

Updates

2017-01-19 22:27:30 +0000

7400 signatures reached.
Campaign Admin

2017-01-19 22:26:42 +0000

Multinational Force and Observers
Slightly off topic, but if there was anyone who served in the Sinai with the MFO on or after 3rd August 1981 then you will be pleased to know that the MFO Medal has finally been recognised and approved by HM The Queen. To be worn on the left after the LS & GC.
Campaign Admin

2016-11-25 23:48:09 +0000

The New Chairman has written to the Prime Minister regarding the NDM. You can view the letter here and the response from No 10.
http://nationaldefencemedal.webs.com/
Campaign Admin

2016-11-23 11:54:37 +0000

7,000 signatures reached
Campaign Admin

2016-11-14 06:53:23 +0000

6,900 signatures reached
Campaign Admin

2016-10-04 12:11:05 +0100

The NDM Team have received the MoD's retracted version of the minutes of the meeting of the Advisory Military Sub Committee held on 29th August 2013. These will be published on line once the documents have been read in depth by the team. This has been a long legal process to get sight of these so our grateful thanks to Dr Martin Halligan for his sterling work to produce a positive result.
Campaign Admin

2016-09-15 10:21:56 +0100

6,800 signatures reached.
Campaign Admin

2016-09-06 12:27:25 +0100

Dear all,
This is just to let you know that I will be stepping down voluntarily as Chairman on the 7th September2016. I believe I have taken the fight forward as far as I can at the moment and it is time with a new prime Minister for a new driving force to take the helm.
On that account I am pleased to be handing over or back to Col Terry Scriven (Rtd). Terry is well versed in the campaign, having been central to the original proposal and will be in a safe pair of hands and is a man with great experience.
I’m sure you will all get fully behind Col Terry and give him all the support and assistance he needs to make this medal a reality.
Alan

2016-09-02 10:10:23 +0100

Some good news folks, the first of the decisions on our FOI challenge to see minutes of the HD Committee meeting has been upheld.
See here for full details of the appeal.

http://nationaldefencemedal.webs.com/foitribunaldecisions.htm

Our Thanks to Dr Martin Halligan for his sterling work on our behalf to get some transparence on the HD Cmmittee Decision process.

Campaign Admin

2016-08-04 22:43:53 +0100

One Veterans comments on the Government response:
"I can’t help thinking that the delay of 2 ½ months in replying to you letter was deliberate. Such a delay surely does not meet Civil Service guidelines and the apology for the delay is hollow. The fact that the great man, Richard Tilbrook, could not be bothered to even sign the letter himself, and delegated this simple task to good old Gary is also an indication of what they think of us. To quote the words of a Minister who diminished himself in debate in Westminster five months ago only adds insult to injury. It really is a disgrace. These little people run the country and it is virtually impossible to penetrate their defences unless you are one of them. Of course, politicians bring this upon themselves because they are the ones that allow it to happen. The tail wags the dog!"
I totally agree.
Campaign Admin

2016-08-04 22:42:03 +0100

Hi folks,

We have received a reply from the Cabinet Office to our letter to the PM of 15 May. Which basically states that neither the Government nor the HD Committee agree with the establishment of the NDM. No reference to our demand for a public enquiry nor any of the issues raised.

You can view the document by scrolling down to the last entry on the NDM re-buttal tab.

http://nationaldefencemedal.webs.com/ndmrebuttal.htm

Campaign Admin

2016-07-28 16:29:43 +0100

It is with sadness that I have to announce the following:
(extract from facebook)
Roll of Honour: T.A.M. Thornton Anthony Martin Fowler,Major,RA (Rtd) DoD. 17/4/2016 A strong Advocate of the Waterloo Veterans Award and the NDM Campaign. RIP. Sincere Condolences to his familiy and friends. 'Commonwealth Veterans Association'

I only met Tam once very briefly at the London meeting. He seemed a tireless campaigner for the NDM and my thoughts go out to his friends and family.

2016-07-14 11:33:13 +0100

A small group from the Campaign Team met with Jason McCartney MP down at Westminster on the 12th July. The meeting was very positive and we received good suport and encouragement from Jason. He was one of the MPs who attended the Westminster debate on the 12th April and is keen to help us take the matter forward. Our thanks to Jason for his time and support it was greatly appreciated.
Campaign Admin

2016-06-12 21:15:35 +0100

6,700 signatures reached.
Campaign Admin

2016-06-12 17:45:21 +0100

Defence Secretary Awards New Medal GSM 08
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/defence-secretary-awards-new-medal-to-46-troops
Campaign Admin