Government won't help WW2 veterans attend 65th D-Day commemoration

Government won't help WW2 veterans attend 65th D-Day commemoration - Telegraph



By Stephen Adams
Last Updated: 2:32PM GMT 13 Feb 2009


Second World War veterans have criticised as "disgusting" the Government's refusal to help them travel to France to attend the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings.


World War 2 veterans: Ministry of Defence has told them that the next time public money will be used for a commemoration will be the 100th anniversary in 2044
While America and Canada are paying for their veterans to travel to the event, British war heroes are having to stump up the cash themselves.

Thousands of them are hoping to travel to Normandy for the commemoration in June, which for many will be their last.

But the Ministry of Defence has told them that the next time public money will be used for a commemoration will be the 100th anniversary in 2044, when they will all be dead.

Bob Conway, 83, chairman of the Wiltshire branch of the Normandy Veterans' Association (NVA), said: "I think it's disgusting. Surely they can do something to help us old boys go over? We are pretty upset about it. We're all over 80 now and for many this will be the last time."

He and his comrades have taken to fund-raising in the cold in the middle of Trowbridge, where he lives.

He added: "It's a struggle to raise all the money we need but it's just a few thousand pounds. All our comrades from the US and Canada get their expenses paid for by their Governments but ours won't give us a penny."

He said it would cost £18,000 for all 30 from the Wiltshire branch to attend.

Some 156,000 British, American and Canadian troops surged on to the beaches of northern France on 30 June 1944, starting the Allied invasion of Normandy. More than a million were involved in the campaign that followed.

But their numbers are dwindling fast.

James Gray, Conservative MP for North Wiltshire, described the Government's decision not to support them as "pathetic and an insult".

He said: "It's quite wrong that these old men have to do this."

A spokesman for the MoD said: "The MoD provides funding for the official commemoration of the 25th, 50th, 60th and 100th anniversaries of events of national importance.

"Funding was provided to the Normandy Veterans' Association to mark the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings when it was acknowledged that this would be the last commemoration using public money."

 

I cannot believe the meaness of the goverment not to help these veterans. I can only put it down to the finance trouble the world is suffering from. I hope someone will be able to help these vets.

 

BBC NEWS | England | Bristol | Benefactor helps D-Day veterans

 

Not just the British government that are tight sods:

Heroes denied fare to service : thewest.com.au

 

A change of mind?

BBC NEWS | UK | D-Day veterans promised support

Don't hold your breath!!!!

 

While I sympathise with those veterans who want to return to Normandy, is it fair that just D-Day veterans plight is being highlighted. I have over 30 veterans,(22 of which were not old enough at D- Day but were fighting later in Holland. They have been invited by a Town Council, to attend the 65th Anniversary celebrations of their liberation, in October 2009. They are willing to pay for the veterans accommodation for 2 nights and all transport in Holland. They just (Just?) have to pay for their travel to Holland themselves. Like the D-Day vets no help !!! So should the governments just assist D-Day vets or all vets? If so we are talking millions of pounds and not just hundreds of thousands.

 

If the government support one vet,then the government should support all vets.How can you favor one lot of vets over other vets?
I say yes,government should pay for the rest of there trip,i do think we all owe the vets alot!I am here with freedom cause of every single Allied vets that frought during ww2 and ww1 aswell.

Bye heidi

 

Take your point 51 Highland.

I agree that help should be given to all vets.

Why aren't the British Legion (or some other suitable body) trying to make similar arrangements to those which you describe so that the tab could be confined to the cost of travel? Somebody must have figures which would indicate the potential cost of this.

 

BBC NEWS | UK | D-Day veterans promised support

 

This is a crime against al veterans who fought for our freedom.
Hope the brittish goverment wil take some action in this matter.
Its a big shame!:nono:

 

In a perfect world ..... people who have money would sponsor a couple of vets each ......

wouldn't it be wonderful if the guys who received the huge bonuses from the bail out companies would do it ? ..... might be better for their consciences and more rewarding for them than paying 90% income tax !! :decision:

 

As I said .... don't hold your breath!!!!

BBC NEWS | UK | Veterans reject D-Day cash offer

 

Thought this might be of interest, at the end of the attached article from the Daily Mail, it states that not only veterans but close relatives of deceased veterans can get a grant from the Lottery fund. Just have to telephone Lottery hotline 0845 00 00 121.

D-Day heroes' £183,000 'thank you' to Mail readers | Mail Online

 

It's amazing how some negative publicity makes governmental agencies change their minds so quickly.

 

Have phoned them. They have not finalised the details for descendants of veterans yet. They are already sending out application packs to veterans though.

 

I hate to play the devils advocate but where does it all end?

Is the Government supposed to be on the hook to pay for veterans to visit Suez, Korea, Borneo etc etc? A line has to be drawn somewhere.

 

A valid point, DL. In a perfect world, there would be a rule that governments wouldn't balk at such things even in tough economic times.

 

John,
This particular government is very anti British, they are all ex university student communists. If it was a visit to a mosque somewhere they would fall over themselves to be seen giving taxpayers money out. Rant over sorry.

 

The British Government is not paying, The vets are being funded by the Lottery fund, monies, in effect, given by people who are trying to win a million or two. I believe that all veterans are eligible to apply for funding, with amounts given, varying, depending on what particular theatre of war they want to visit.

 

Will someone pay for me to go visit Vietnam on (pick an anniversary or event, your choice)?

I don't think so!