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Don Touhig evokes spirit of veterans in responding to terrorist attacks

Published Thursday 7th July 2005

Don Touhig, Minister for Veterans, addresses former Royal Air Force personnel who were imprisoned during WW2, St James' Park, London, 7 July 2005
Don Touhig, Minister for Veterans, addresses former Royal Air Force personnel who were imprisoned during WW2, St James' Park, London, 7 July 2005

Visiting WWII veterans at the Living Museum in St James's Park, in the heart of the capital, Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans Don Touhig broke from his prepared itinerary to make an impromptu and impassioned speech in which he called upon today's generation to match the determination of those who experienced World War II conflict to protect our way of life, and to protect our freedom.
 
Speaking in the WWII Living Museum in St James's Park, London, Veteran's Minister Don Touhig said:

"This week we remember the sacrifice that previous generations made so that we could remain a free people.  As a tragedy unfolds in London we look to them for inspiration. When we face difficulties, when we face the horror of terrorist attack; we look to our Veterans for inspiration - they have faced much worse.  It is important to keep up the spirit that they showed us in the dark days between 1939 and 1945. 

"Our determination to protect our way of life, to defend our people against terrorism will find no better inspiration than the displays in the Living Museum and the Veterans here today.  We remain a free people because of their sacrifice; I salute them."

Addressing former Royal Air Force personnel who were imprisoned during the war, he said;

"The debt we owe you we can never repay. The inspiration you will give our country in the difficult days ahead will inspire us all to fight to remain free."

The 'Living Museum', a part of activities this week to commemorate the end of the Second World War, has remained open as normal today.

Listen to our audio files of interviews with veterans to hear what they think of the attacks on London.

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