On the 13th of September 2023, a small ceremony was held to honour the US Atomic Veterans. Yet the UK Government is 'still exploring options' 10 months after being asked for a ceremony. (Pictures courtesy of Bev Androl)
The ceremony was held at the Defense Logistics Agency in the McNamara Auditorium.
Each person receiving their award was listed in the guide:
With full details of their service. We had the pleasure of meeting Francis L Grahlfs, who is a WWII and Atomic Veteran and is 100 and a half years old:
The US Government thanked the Atomic Veterans for their unique service:
And honoured them:
Our Veterans' Agency are currently 'exploring all options for a ceremony', not guaranteeing any medals will be on the chests of the nuclear veterans for November and they will be sent out in the post.
Veterans' Minister Johnny Mercer promised 'to make the UK the best place to be a veteran', the UK is very far behind the USA in regards to it's nuclear veterans:
- they pay compensation through the RECA program, we pay nothing.
- they gave out their medal at a special ceremony, we are 'exploring options'.
- the US Government formally apologised to the nuclear veterans, we still have denial.
Still a lot of work to do Mr Mercer! Perhaps our new Secretary of State for Defence Mr Shapps with meet with us and discuss why the UK Government is not recognising it's nuclear veterans. He has not replied to our request for a meeting. Extremely disrespectful to the servicemen who served their country, many as National Servicemen.