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Birmingham will host Veterans Day Birmingham will host Veterans Day
(about 1 hour later)
Birmingham has been chosen to hold the second annual Veterans Day celebrations on 27 June.Birmingham has been chosen to hold the second annual Veterans Day celebrations on 27 June.
The city was picked ahead of 15 other bids and the Council says it hopes to attract 100,000 visitors.The city was picked ahead of 15 other bids and the Council says it hopes to attract 100,000 visitors.
The decision was announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown and Veterans Minister Derek Twigg on Tuesday. The decision was announced by Chancellor Gordon Brown and Veterans Minister Derek Twigg.
They also revealed that soldiers who fought in the Falklands War will now be eligible to receive the Veteran's Badge in honour of their service.They also revealed that soldiers who fought in the Falklands War will now be eligible to receive the Veteran's Badge in honour of their service.
The first Veterans Day was held last year in London to mark the sacrifice made by all armed forces personnel.The first Veterans Day was held last year in London to mark the sacrifice made by all armed forces personnel.
Birmingham's bid was chosen ahead of applications from other towns and cities including Blackpool, Nottingham and Weymouth.Birmingham's bid was chosen ahead of applications from other towns and cities including Blackpool, Nottingham and Weymouth.
Lord Mayor Mike Sharpe said it was a great honour, adding: "I hope other towns, cities and local communities will follow our lead and stage memorable events to celebrate the contribution made by this remarkable section of our community."
'Thank you''Thank you'
The Ministry of Defence will fund almost 40% of the cost of Birmingham's five-day festivities and will also support other events taking place across the UK.The Ministry of Defence will fund almost 40% of the cost of Birmingham's five-day festivities and will also support other events taking place across the UK.
Mr Brown made the announcement at a Veteran's Badge presentation ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in London.Mr Brown made the announcement at a Veteran's Badge presentation ceremony at the Imperial War Museum in London.
He said: "There is nothing that we will ever do that can adequately thank the millions of men and women who have served their country and all the veterans here today for what they have done for us."He said: "There is nothing that we will ever do that can adequately thank the millions of men and women who have served their country and all the veterans here today for what they have done for us."
The revamped Bullring centre is likely to host several eventsThe revamped Bullring centre is likely to host several events
The Chancellor also responded to recent criticism over the treatment of soldiers returning wounded and traumatised from Iraq.The Chancellor also responded to recent criticism over the treatment of soldiers returning wounded and traumatised from Iraq.
"We must ensure those who are serving our country at present, and especially those who have been injured in the course of duty, receive the care and support they deserve," he said."We must ensure those who are serving our country at present, and especially those who have been injured in the course of duty, receive the care and support they deserve," he said.
"Winston Churchill called courage the best gift of all, the ultimate quality on which all other human qualities depend, and we pay tribute to these courageous heroes for the service they have shown our country, for believing in and fighting for something bigger than themselves.""Winston Churchill called courage the best gift of all, the ultimate quality on which all other human qualities depend, and we pay tribute to these courageous heroes for the service they have shown our country, for believing in and fighting for something bigger than themselves."
'Courage and sacrifice''Courage and sacrifice'
Until now, personnel who served in the Falklands and in the early years of the Troubles in Northern Ireland were not eligible for the Armed Forces or Merchant Seafarers Veteran's Badge. The Veteran's Badge was launched in May 2004 for veterans of the two World Wars. It has since been extended to successive generations, with more than 400,000 issued to date.
But Mr Brown said it was right that their "bravery, courage and sacrifice" were honoured. Now, personnel who served up to 31 December 1984 in the Falklands and Northern Ireland will also be eligible.
Now all those who served up to December 31 1984 can receive the badge. Mr Brown said it was right that their "bravery, courage and sacrifice" were honoured.