Memorandum submitted by the War Widows
Association of Great Britain
I found the experience very interesting but
wished that there had been more time and that the Disabled Police
Federation had been given a different time from the other military
related organisations.
I think that there are a number of issues that
are of concern.
Those who live in Northern Ireland will have
different issues to those based on the UK mainland. The Police
will have different issues to the military.
The issues of those wounded either physically
or mentally are different to those who have lost a family member
(husband, wife, partner, child, father, mother, sibling).
Having given it some thought I can understand
where the Northern Ireland Veterans representative was coming
from when he said that colleagues should be consulted about Remembrance.
The military encourages a strong family feeling and those working
together when there is a death or wounding caused by the IRA or
other terrorists feel this as keenly as if their brother had been
the one involved. In fact the relationships can be much stronger
than with a family member. This does not have to be all of them
but a representative sample. To be included will make them feel
better. Why not ask the Northern Ireland Veterans to actively
involve a representative number of members in the consultation
process regarding a National Memorial.
For widows and families of those who have died
the importance of being able to visit Northern Ireland and see
where the deceased was killed and to try to understand the IRA
point of view cannot be emphasised enough. To visit Ireland and
see the country and meet the people would help. Years on these
people still have unfinished business which will not be resolved
until they know what happened to the perpetrators.
Ros Dillon-Lee felt rather disappointed that
her views had not been sought as she was representing a specific
victim group.
I am writing to a younger widow whose husband
was killed in Northern Ireland to give her the chance to express
her views.
Please will you keep me informed about future
developments.
26 February 2005
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