While taking a break from my many tasks I watched our local news and was shocked to hear that a War Memorial had been stolen. A Bronze Plaque listing the names of Plymouth’s fallen heroes had been stolen from the city’s Naval War Memorial on The Hoe. Desecration of any memorial is unforgivable at any time but Plymouth was celebrating Veteran’s Day this weekend. An annual Veteran’s Day was launched by the Ministry of Defence on 27 June 2006. As well as a means of raising public awareness of Veterans issues it is also a celebration of the contribution made by all those who have served in the Armed Forces. Many of our veterans of all ages have been taking part in events all over the country since May and will continue to do so. I am very proud of our veterans and very much aware of the many sacrifices made by the Armed Forces. Sadly the only awareness the memorial thieves have is the scrap value....
Reading this made me think of my own family’s involvement in active service and although no longer alive I would like to acknowledge two of them at this time....
My maternal uncle Frank William Peter Ballaam (Uncle Bill) who served in WW11 and was a veteran until his death in 2002 aged 80.... 
Bill’s brother Ronald Stanley Ballaam (Uncle Ronnie) who also served in WW11. Sadly he did not become a veteran as he was listed as Missing Presumed Dead in 1940 aged 20....My uncles made a difference to this world by the contribution they made as members of the Armed Forces. The names of the people on the stolen plaque made the ultimate sacrifice and the thieves should remember that.
Until next time...lol....
Until next time...lol....
