The 16th January 2003 at 21.50GMT was the 12th Anniversary of the start of the Gulf War. Cruise Missiles were launched from the USS Missouri marking the opening of the allied offensive to free Kuwait from the Iraqi Occupation.

Even after 12 years neither the previous Government nor the present Government looked at the full Gulf issue of illnesses and deaths of servicemen and women. No serviceman or woman is asked how they vote before they join the forces, nor do they ask which political party is in power before they will agree to go to war for their country. That is democracy, and that is what those veterans of previous wars fought so desperately to keep for future generations. This is the legacy which we as a Veterans Association are continuing to maintain, the principles which were saved at their cost.

Ministers have stated in the Houses of Parliament that they owe us the veterans a Debt of Honor, never before has their been an urgent need for a public enquiry.

The National Office in Newcastle runs the Gulf Veterans Association and also runs a National Branch of the Royal British Legion. The Royal British Legion contributes towards the running costs of the office including rent, rates and funding for a part time member of staff to assist with the running of the office. Without this support the office would find it difficult to function.

Copyright © 1999-2002 The Gulf Veterans Association.