MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Cheap flights petition for Falklands War vets to visit Islands
Vet. Steve Tuffen standing at the spot where he was shot in Gosse Green A FORMER British Paratrooper is petitioning the Prime Minister to allow Falklands War veterans to visit the islands using the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence low cost 'Indulgence' flight system.
Currently serving British forces can already use this extremely cheap flight system to visit the Islands and other British forces bases around the islands at a cost of approximately fifty pounds sterling. Veteran Terry Sears, who is behind the petition, told MercoPress"Recently some of the Falklands veterans, including myself, went back to the islands as part of an organised pilgrimage and were amazed to find out that veterans and families have to pay full cost whilst serving MOD employees can use the MOD indulgence flight system only costing £50. "There have been more Falklands war veteran suicides since the 1982 Conflict (more than actually died in the Falklands war) and as we found out, the visit can be vital in terms of finding some peace. Unfortunately many former soldiers cannot afford the flight to the Falklands." The petition is also supported by Derek Twigg MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans, says Terry. Terry added, "I am an former member of the Second Battalion the Parachute Regiment who served in the Conflict, and like most others it feels like a second home now. I think we will always have an inextricable link with the Islands and the Islanders. I started this petition after have some conversations with many veterans who came out on the pilgrimage. " Currently a flight to the Falklands costs just under 1,400 pounds sterling. The link to the petition is http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Veterans-flights/Two hundred and fifty British Falklands War Veterans visited the islands in November as part of the South Atlantic Medal Association (82) charity. More 'pilgrimages' are planned for future years. By Lisa Johnston - SeAledPR - Stanley
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