FORMER March mayor Barry Howlett is reminding people of the forthcoming Veterans Day celebrations. He has joined forces with Peter Roberts, Labour Parliamentary spokesman for North East Cambridgeshire, to raise public awareness of the special day. June 2

FORMER March mayor Barry Howlett is reminding people of the forthcoming Veterans' Day celebrations.

He has joined forces with Peter Roberts, Labour Parliamentary spokesman for North East Cambridgeshire, to raise public awareness of the special day.

June 27 has been set as a day to celebrate the achievements and contribution of the armed forces and veterans.

Peter and Barry are calling on the Government to give favourable consideration to recommendations for greater support for homecoming parades and strengthening and expanding cadet organisations in schools.

Barry is a veteran who served in both Suez and Aden and was a member of the Territorial Army for 31 years. He was parade marshal in March for 22 years.

Barry said: "I hope that more people become aware of Veterans' Day and it would be great to see more support for homecoming parades. Also, new proposals on cadets are close to my heart having started my military career as a cadet, including being a British cadet boxing champion aged 15. I believe that many more young people would benefit from the discipline and life skills taught in the cadets."

Peter added: "Talking to Barry has confirmed my belief that more needs to be done to show our appreciation towards current and former servicemen and women. After recent press reports of service personnel in Peterborough being encouraged not to wear their uniforms in public, I feel it is time for us to stand up and be more vocal about how proud we are of our armed forces.

"I have written to the Minister of Veteran affairs to pass on Barry's views, which I feel are shared by the vast majority of people across North East Cambridgeshire.