OFFICIAL signing by Chief Minister Allan Bell of the Isle of Man’s first Armed Forces Community Covenant took place on Friday.
The historic document officially recognises the special role and contribution of the island’s military veterans as well as those people currently serving in the Armed Forces.
Speaking at the signing, Mr Bell said: ‘The purpose of the Community Covenant is to encourage support for the armed forces community working and residing in the Isle of Man and to recognise the sacrifices made by members of this armed forces community.
‘For the Isle of Man Government and partner organisations, the Community Covenant provides an opportunity to bring our knowledge and expertise to bear on the provision of help and advice to members of the armed forces community.’
In practical terms, he said the idea of the Community Covenant was to encourage the ‘integration of service life into civilian life’ as well as encouraging members of the Armed Forces community to help the island community.
He added: ‘This is a two-way agreement which recognises the debt we owe to those who serve, who have served and who will serve in our armed forces.
Mr Bell outlined four specific aims of the covenant. He said it was to encourage the island’s young people to carry on the tradition of military service, to recognise respect and celebrate the work of servicemen and women on the island’s behalf, to try to protect the welfare of their families and to cherish and remember ‘those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice’.
Ending his speech he said: ‘To those who have served in the past we thank you. To those returning home from service, we encourage you to take part in our island’s activities, to walk amongst us in the Queen’s uniform and become a significant part of our society. Today we forge a bond that will last.’
The Covenant was endorsed on behalf of the Armed Forces by the senior army commander in the North West region, Brigadier Nick Fitzgerald, Commander of the 42nd North West Brigade based at Fulwood Barracks in Preston.
Also present at the signing was the island’s Armed Forces Champion, Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK, who led the covenant initiative.
The Armed Forces Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its service personnel.
