2:20pm Sunday 25th October 2009
By James Maden
FLANKED by armed guards and clad with medals, military officers, servicemen and veterans launched the Royal British Legion poppy appeal in Hampshire.
The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Nigel Atkinson joined around 100 people for a service of dedication at HMS Excellent.
The poppy appeal goes a long way to helping wounded soldiers and grieving families, with Hampshire residents raising just over £1 million through last year’s poppy appeal.
The proceedings came to a poignant mark when Allen Parton, a veteran of the first gulf war, spoke about how the Legion had helped him rebuild his life.
In 1991 Allen was wounded in action in the first Gulf War and spent five years in hospital unable to recall the names of his wife and children.
Speaking to guests Allen, said: “There are 900,000 injured service men and women in the country today, just under one million injured personnel.
“I can assure you that when the guns go quiet on the battle fields, the battle with disability, trauma and bereavement go on until you draw your last breath.”
Veterans from nine Hampshire branches attended the service lowering their flags for the last post, commemorating those lost in war.
President of the Hampshire County Branch of the Royal British Legion, Roy Farmers from Copythorne, New Forest, said: “There’s no doubt, the poppy appeal saves lives, it gives support and gives back confidence to our servicemen.
“It’s more important now, than it ever has been considering the present situation and we’re hoping to raise more than we did last year.
“We want to save more lives in the future and the poppy appeal is critical to ensuring that we continue to be able to do that.”
Stood with his medals proudly displayed and holding the flag of his Legion branch, the Royal Hampshire Regiment Malayan Veterans was Sid Hunt.
The 72-year-old from Swaythling, Southampton, said: “I support the British Legion all I can.
“All veterans at some point come upon hard times and the poppy appeal helps because the British Legion is where people go to get help if they need it.
“It’s so important people get behind the appeal and buy a poppy.”
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