I was very pleased to see a response (Oxford Mail, August 2) from John Walker in relation to Michael Rhymes’ comments (Mail, July 27) regarding the veterans honoured recently, one of them being my father, Brian Thomas.

I was extremely upset and outraged at Mr Rhymes’ narrow-minded attitude towards the veterans, who – as he said – are loyal.

My father underwent a triple heart bypass in 2008, is disabled and has a recurrent knee injury. But last week he caught two buses to Headley Way for a ceremony.

Unfortunately, the repatriation was delayed until the evening so he came home, had a sandwich, got back on those buses and made his way back to Headley Way. My dad would not expect a thank you for his loyalty; he is an ex-para who wears his blazer and beret with pride.

He has attended many parades during the past year – not only in this country but elsewhere in Europe – because that is what being an ex-serviceman means to him.

Let us hope that this pride and loyalty to our fallen serviceman and women is passed down the generations.

Tina Simms

Birch Road

Garsington

Oxford