MP welcomes Armed Forces Day

Sunday, 28, Jun 2009 12:00

Aberavon MP Dr Hywel Francis has welcomed the Government’s decision to hold the first ever Armed Forces Day and praised the Prime Minister’s initiative to welcome veterans to Downing Street recently.

Dr Francis said

‘Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Labour Government are to be congratulated on having an annual day of recognition for our Armed Forces so that the public can give thanks to all our servicemen and women – past and present.’

‘I was honoured to take with me to Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister last week Mr Roger Sheppard from my constituency. Not only had Roger seen dsitinguished service in the Royal Marines in many parts of the world but he is also the uncle of Corporal Dean John who was recently killed in Afghanistan. The Prime Minster paid tribute to Dean, as I did in Parliament, and said he was privileged to convey his condolences and thanks personally to the family when he met Roger.’

Mr Sheppard said,

‘It was obvious that the Prime Minister was knowledgeable of the distress of the families who had lost their loved ones. It was very thoughtful and typical of him to arrange to meet a small group of us privately even though this must be a demanding time for him at home and abroad.’