Veterans are an essential part of the Armed Forces Family, who are the keepers of our value and culture. They are an important link between the present and the past. To acknowledge and honour the selfless devotion and sacrifice by the veterans, ‘Armed Forces Veterans Day’ was celebrated at Headquarters Maintenance Command (HQMC), Vayusena Nagar, on Monday.
The day is also dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the personnel who served the Armed Forces with pride and honour. On January 14, 1953, Field Marshal K M Carriappa retired from service. He was the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army who led the Indian Forces to victory. As a mark of respect and recognition of his service, the day is celebrated as Veterans’ Day.
The celebration at Nagpur was inaugurated by Air Marshal Hemant Sharma, AVSM, VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, HQMC. Addressing the gathering, he acknowledged and praised contributions made by the veterans who served the nation in their prime years and are still serving in various capacities.
He said, the veterans have given their past for our present and while we prepare for tomorrows’ challenges, we need to reflect on our glorious past.
The function was attended by a number of retired senior officers of three services along with over four hundred armed forces veterans. Commodore U N Chitnavis of Indian Navy, the senior most veteran present, spoke on the occasion and he applauded the facilities provided at the ECHS and Unit Run Canteen by HQMC, Nagpur for the veterans.
A health check-up camp was organised for the veterans on the occasion. Various stalls were put up and represented by Directorate of Veterans (Air Force, Army), banks and the Zila Sainik Board for explaining resettlement avenues and pension entitlements.
Arrangements for refreshments for veterans were made on the occasion. These kind of events strengthen the bond between serving personnel and the veterans.