Gwenda Thomas has called on local communities, organisations and businesses across Neath to help celebrate Armed Forces Day this Saturday.
The national event is to show support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to service families and from veterans to cadets.
The Welsh Labour Government has pledged to extend eligibility for the concessionary travel scheme and to extend the priority status that Service personnel and veterans have in the Homebuy scheme to the widows and widowers of personnel killed in Service.
In addition, over the next term, the Welsh Labour Government intends to extend free swimming schemes to veterans and serving military personnel on leave, formalise the support arrangements for Welsh Armed Forces Day parades across Wales as well as assess any additional support that is required for the families of serving personnel.
Mrs Thomas today attended the Flag Raising Ceremony at Neath Civic Centre. The flag at the Civic Centre will fly until Saturday.
She said: “Armed Forces Day is an important opportunity to formally thank our service men and women.
“All our armed forces members who have made great sacrifice to defend the UK and contributed to international peace keeping operations deserve to be recognised. The nation owes them all a debt of gratitude.”
Welsh Labour’s Carl Sargeant, the Minister with responsibility for the Armed Forces in Wales, said:
“The families of those serving in the Armed Forces often have exceptional demands placed upon them. We are working hard to create a level playing field so that Forces families suffer no disadvantage. The Welsh Government’s increased support to the Armed Forces community over the next five years will I hope go a long way in achieving this.”
For more information log on to the Armed Forces Day website at www.armedforcesday.org.uk
