I was truly shocked to see in the advertisement the
liberal-oriented Independent newspaper on 7 October that the Royal British
Legion Young Professionals Branch has taken sponsorship by the US giant
military contractor Lockheed Martin for its “Poppy Rocks Ball” on 24 October.
The Young
Professionals Branch and its activities are aimed at 18 to 40 year olds
but membership is open to everyone, the RBL web site stresses.
The Poppy Rocks Ball is described thus:
On the 24 October, The Royal British Legion Young
Professionals Branch is holding The
Poppy Rocks Ball at the prestigious Honourable Artillery
Company in the City of London. The
Poppy Rocks Ball is a dinner, dance and auction for 320 people
to raise funds and awareness of the charity.
The Poppy Rocks Ball starts with a drinks reception at 7pm and
carriages at 1.30am. Dress code is ‘Black Tie with a Poppy’. Mess dress and
service uniform is also encouraged.
The British Legion does commendable
work looking after the welfare of our brave service people and medical
auxiliaries who suffer physical and mental
trauma serving the nation.
Indeed, for many years they were the only body prepared
to assist those veterans suffering from
hugely disabling from Gulf War Syndome, while ministers equivocated or
denied its existence.(
Gulf War: a legacy of
suspicion, May 2007, http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/media/2278/gulf_war.pdf)
In my view it is totally inappropriate to accept
sponsorship from a foreign company whose activities in Britain include being
one of three contractors running the atomic warhead production factory at
Aldermaston (“Decision delayed on running of troubled atomic weapons sites,” Independent,
21 September”
If ever used - as the prime minister has just this week
pledged he would be prepared to do - it would result in the instant death of
hundreds of thousands, and slow deaths of millions from radiation sickness and
starvation.
Just what are the British Legion thinking?
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