MP's salute to our Armed Forces

Jonathan Reynolds pays tribute to UK Armed Forces personnel this Armed Forces Day

This weekend sees the welcome return of Armed Forces Day, writes Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds in his weekly column for the Tameside Reporter.

And I’m looking forward to joining the Tameside wide celebrations in Victoria park, Denton, today (Saturday), something I know has been sadly missed by many local veterans and Forces families through the pandemic.

The UK’s Armed Forces are just world class, and this is a really important opportunity to thank each and every public servant in the military for their crucial role in our national defence and our national resilience.

Across the country, a total of 34,000 Forces personnel were involved in efforts to tackle the pandemic, with servicewomen and men being deployed to hospitals, driving ambulances, and delivering Covid-19 vaccines across the country. It was crucial support when we needed it most, and great to see uniformed and non-uniformed key workers working effectively together.

I’d also like to pay tribute to UK Armed Forces personnel for supporting NATO allies in response to Russia’s aggression. The UK has doubled the number of troops in Estonia, and I am proud that the country is standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies in the face of shocking and unacceptable behaviour from Putin.

Like most local families, the Reynoldses have our own Armed Forces backstory. My Grandad Jack was a Sapper in the Royal Engineers. I once asked him what that meant and he joked: “Building bridges and then blowing them up again”.

The Sappers landed on Sword Beach on D Day, tasked with clearing away obstacles so the main forces could land and advance. They must have faced unimaginably difficult conditions. That day, two coins became welded together in Grandad’s tunic pocket, glued by the combination of salt water and some barley sugar sweets. Grandad kept them as a memento and we still have them in the family. They’re a small reminder of the extreme conditions that day and of the sacrifice of so many working people, from ordinary families, who were called upon to do something extraordinary.

We remember them, and we also need to invest in our forces for the future. I can’t lie, I am disappointed this Government have cut the Army to its smallest size in 300 years. We need to work together to stop these cuts ASAP, and to increase support for veterans. I am proud that Labour would boost veterans’ mental health support by £35 million. Defending the UK and living away from family and friends takes its toll. This Armed Forces Day, let’s say thank you, but also follow up with material support.

For more details about today's events see also https://www.questmedianetwork.co.uk/news/tameside-reporter/armed-forces-day-back-on-parade-in-denton/