Veterans In National Defence Medal Debate
Veterans across the North East are in dispute over whether they deserve a medal for simply being in the armed forces.
Veterans across the North East are in dispute over whether they deserve a medal for simply being in the armed forces.
Right now, those here who have served but not saw action get a veterans pin when they leave.
In Australia, New Zealand and Canada, ex-serviceman get a National Defence Medal, with blessing from the Queen.
Shaun Atherton from, Middlesbrough, served in the regulators in the late 70's.
He's campaigning for that to come here but says many MP's won't help him put pressure on the government to pay out for them.
He said: "We're not heroes, we're not claiming to be heroes, we don't want a heroic medal. We just want something that says we did our part."
"It's a slap in the face that us Brits are not entitled to this mark of respect. That's all that it is. We just did our part and we want the country to turn around and say thank you."
But Chris Thomspon, from Ashington, who was in the Royal Engineers, thinks the money could be better spent elsewhere.
He said: "The families or wives of victims who've lost l their lives in combat or active service or anywhere really. I don't want a medal that says yes I've been in the army, the airforce or the navy."
"Not everybody has the same view but I definitely wouldn't wear one. I don't think I've deserved it or earned it."