- 28/06/2013
- Posted by: Joyce Watson MS
- Category: Feature
As part of a national day of events, Assembly Member Joyce Watson will attend a special service in Cardigan tomorrow (29 June) to mark the contribution of the Armed Forces community.
The service at Our Lady of the Taper Roman Catholic Church starts at 2.30pm, followed by a buffet reception in the church hall.
The Mid and West AM said the service has a special significance for her:
“My father was a PoW and I grew up in Cardigan – I still have family there – so I’m proud to observe Armed Forces Day in Cardigan.
“Our armed forces make a great sacrifice to defend the UK and the brave work they do should always be recognised. The nation owes all our servicemen and women a debt of gratitude and I’m proud to support Armed Forces Day.”
Mrs Watson’s father, William Roberts, a farm worker from Llanbrynmair, near Machynlleth, was aged 21 when he was called up to the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1940. He was captured by the Germans at Dunkirk but escaped from a prisoner-of-war camp towards the end of the war.
The annual Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to raise public awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces and show support for currently serving troops to Service families and from veterans to cadets. Across the country people are getting involved, communities hold local events and business show their support.
Earlier this week, the Welsh Labour Government launched an updated package of support for the Armed Forces Community including new commitments to:
- The introduction of a unified pathway for veterans’ mental health and veteran mental health clinical networks.
- The introduction of a Standing Committee for Service Children in Schools in Wales
- Continued disregard of the War Pension Scheme under new Council Tax Reduction Schemes.
The Minister with responsibility for the Armed Forces Lesley Griffiths said: “We all owe a great deal to our Armed Forces, past and present. They continue to make huge sacrifices on our behalf both here and overseas which allow us to live in a free and safe society.
“In Wales there are estimated to be at least a quarter of a million members of the Armed Forces Community and the Welsh Government is committed to increasing the support we provide to them and to ensuring nobody is disadvantaged as a result of their service.”
