This year's Veterans Day is being marked with a series of celebratory events taking place all over the country aimed at honouring those men and women who have made a unique contribution to the nation.

HM Armed Forces Veterans Badge [Picture: MOD]

One of the main celebrations takes place in Trafalgar Square on Friday 27 June 2008. It will play host to the main London Veterans Day event this year and Defence Secretary Des Browne, Chief of the Defence Staff and Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, are expected to present HM Armed Forces Veterans Badges to veterans from the Ministry Of Defence and other Government Departments.

One of those receiving their Veterans Badge is Kevin Bainbridge, who served in the Royal Air Force for 23 years, during which time he worked as a ground engineer with the iconic Red Arrows. He also worked with VC10s and on Tornados at 13 Squadron RAF Marham.

Kevin now works at the MOD's offices at Abbey Wood where he is Project Manager in the Systems Engineering and Integration Group which. He manages the communications aspect for the Army's systems and applications, including Skynet and Falcon:

I'm extremely proud. It's great that the recognition is there for those who have served their country. I think it is so important to recognise the effort that the Armed Forces put in and it's great that anyone who serves Britain plays a vital role in the country's defence.

The badge will be displayed in pride of place in my study alongside my wife's accomplishments as this is for her as much as me.

Kevin Bainbridge (bottom left) working as ground crew with the Red Arrows [Picture: via MOD]

Another veteran who will receive his badge is John McCullagh who served in the Territorial Army as a Gunner in 266 Gloucestershire Volunteer Artillery and now works within the Science Innovation Technology team within the MOD. His military career took him to Jersey as well as allowing him to become the only Lance Corporal at the time to be staff qualified. He said:

This is my first recognition and I'm really proud to be able to stand up alongside other veterans, some of whom have been deployed operationally. My stepfather-in-law was given the Veterans Badge for fighting in Normandy, so I feel that I am carrying on the family tradition.