Post by Admin k on Nov 11, 2015 23:23:23 GMT
UPDATE: Merchant Navy Association.
I did receive some concern, expressed by Phil Hughes, who it appeared now feels the Merchant Navy did receive appropriate recognition. Well, the MNA do not believe they received appropriate recognition for Veterans:
I would like to confirm that although there was a segment for Far East Veterans, the five Veterans that were introduced to represent the three services forgot to include the Merchant Navy so they were excluded on this 70th Anniversary of the end of WWII. It was quite clear in my letter that I was referring to Veterans and not serving personnel. It was also quite clear that there was no representation for the Merchant Navy Veterans.
Indeed I have just listened to the Radio 4 broadcast (111335November) and Commodore Malcolm Williams, who is the Chairman of the Shipwrecked Mariners and Retired Navy Officer has firmly re-iterated the last of representation of the Merchant Navy and Fishermen at the Festival of Remembrance last Saturday.
You may have also notice the article in the Sunday Express that clearly showed concern and expressed Admiral Lord West's view that the RBL should apologise. You will know that Lord West was previously the First Sea Lord and defence and security minister during the Labour Government so his views are well respected and his experience without comparison. This is not a man who would offer opinions if he had not considered all the criteria even though he is the Patron of our Association.
I was at an Older Seafarers Welfare meeting in London yesterday when there were several matters under discussion and one of those attending was Commodore Williams and we did talk about the MNA's campaign for appropriate recognition and I was particularly delighted to hear his well balanced views just a short while ago.
Capt J M R Sail MNM MNI
MNA National Chairman
I did receive some concern, expressed by Phil Hughes, who it appeared now feels the Merchant Navy did receive appropriate recognition. Well, the MNA do not believe they received appropriate recognition for Veterans:
I would like to confirm that although there was a segment for Far East Veterans, the five Veterans that were introduced to represent the three services forgot to include the Merchant Navy so they were excluded on this 70th Anniversary of the end of WWII. It was quite clear in my letter that I was referring to Veterans and not serving personnel. It was also quite clear that there was no representation for the Merchant Navy Veterans.
Indeed I have just listened to the Radio 4 broadcast (111335November) and Commodore Malcolm Williams, who is the Chairman of the Shipwrecked Mariners and Retired Navy Officer has firmly re-iterated the last of representation of the Merchant Navy and Fishermen at the Festival of Remembrance last Saturday.
You may have also notice the article in the Sunday Express that clearly showed concern and expressed Admiral Lord West's view that the RBL should apologise. You will know that Lord West was previously the First Sea Lord and defence and security minister during the Labour Government so his views are well respected and his experience without comparison. This is not a man who would offer opinions if he had not considered all the criteria even though he is the Patron of our Association.
I was at an Older Seafarers Welfare meeting in London yesterday when there were several matters under discussion and one of those attending was Commodore Williams and we did talk about the MNA's campaign for appropriate recognition and I was particularly delighted to hear his well balanced views just a short while ago.
Capt J M R Sail MNM MNI
MNA National Chairman