PRESENTATION TO ARMED FORCES VETERANS

Former Armed Forces residents from Bupa’s Seabrooke Manor Nursing and Residential Home, Ilford, Essex, were presented with the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge by Lord Brocket on Sunday 21 February at 2pm. Brent Maher, home manager at Bupa’s Seabrooke Manor, also receive the HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge for his contribution to the armed forces. The HM Armed Forces Veterans’ Lapel Badge was launched in May 2004 by the Minister for Veterans, to raise the profile of veterans by assisting the wider public to recognise them. The badge is an enamelled, engraved, and pinned, lapel badge featuring the words “HM Armed Forces – Veteran”, which encompass the Tri-Service, Anchor, Crossed Swords and Eagle motif. Its symbolism is intended to unite all veterans in recognising the commonality of their service, to encourage a sense of unity and community between surviving veterans and to ignite public recognition of our veterans and their continuing contribution to society. To celebrate the occasion, entertainment was be provided by Diane Moore, a female vocalist who was performing her successful show ‘Land of Hope and Glory’. The show commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II, celebrating the music of the 1940s with such war time classics as ‘Don’t sit under the Apple Tree’ and ‘White Cliffs of Dover’. Brent Maher, manager at Bupa’s Seabrooke Manor Nursing and Residential Home, said: “We were delighted that our residents finally received recognition for their tremendous contribution towards victory in the Second World War. I was pleased to be sharing this achievement with the residents and the day was a joyous occasion for everyone.”