LLANELLI veterans paid tribute to fallen heroes in a special Poppies to Paddington initiative.
Former servicemen placed special wreaths on an early morning Great Western Train bound for London to join a special memorial at the train station in London.
The Llanelli veterans, all members and staff at Links Combined Forces charity, handed over wreaths to staff on the Paddington-bound train, jwhere they wilt join those from more than 60 stations.
Later on Armistice Day, members and workers at the charity, based at The Palms, Queen Victoria Road, fell silent to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Llanelli town councillor Shaun Greaney said: ‘The charity is doing fantastic work everyday with local veterans.
‘Much of its vital work goes unheralded and is little known. But what they do is crucial to the wellbeing of many in the ex-forces community.
‘You’re talking here of people who have seen things many civilians like myself cannot comprehend or imagine. And they have performed those duties with honour.
‘Yet all too often once they left the forces there was little in the way of aftercare, which I find quite shocking.
‘But now steps are being taken by this Government to put that right at long last.
‘Too many veterans, through no fault of their own, face internal battles with their mental health, exacerbated by the horrors of war.
‘I know for a fact that the work of Links has been lifesaving.’
Links Combined Forces is a mental health project covering Carmarthenshire.
It serves Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families, aiming to help those who have experienced or are living with mental ill health build self confidence, self-esteem, learn new skills, and improve health and overall well-being.
Councillor Greaney said: ‘I very much hope that Links can benefit from development funding from the Government’s new VALOUR initiative designed to provide veterans with easier access to the essential care and support available to them.
‘The Combined Forces staff are amazing and go the extra mile to help all veterans and members under their umbrella, including reaching out to veterans in Carmarthen, Ammanford, Llandovery and the Amman Valley.
‘It’s incredible what they do on a shoestring. I’ve written to Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith extolling the charity’s virtues.
‘She has always supported the veteran community and I am confident she will be able to back the charity’s bid for VALOUR funds.
‘Any money allocated would enable Links Combined Forces to continue and expand its ongoing lifesaving and life-enhancing work.
‘I find it quite staggering that charities like Links have to reapply for crucial funds every three years.
‘So there is always a possible precipice ahead, meaning services could be cut, or even totally curtailed.
‘To me, that’s not a healthy recipe for all concerned, particularly for a mental health charity.’
Councillor Greaney said Hywel Dda health board chiefs had recently conceded more needed to be done to provide adequate mental health services in the Llanelli area.
‘With that in mind it is vital the powers that be do all they can to help as soon as possible. It can be a matter of life or death. Our heroes should not be cast aside, and I know they have phenomenal support from the public as proven by the great turnout for the annual Remembrance Parade,’ he said.
At the station, the veterans were joined by Llanelli MP Dame Nia Grifith, town council leader David Darkin, county council chair Dot Jones, Llanelli Rural Council chair Sue Lewis. and Tesco community champion, Lisa Lewis.
