Following the success of last year's event, the Sun Military Awards, dubbed 'The Millies', are returning to honour outstanding members of Britain's Service personnel.
The Sun Military Awards, or 'Millies', return for a second year
[Picture: Courtesy of The Sun]
Prince Charles, a founder and patron of the awards, urged the nation to do more to remember the Forces' extraordinary sacrifices as he officially launched the awards and invited nominations.
Organised by the Sun newspaper in close association with the Ministry of Defence, every award is open to all serving members of the UK Armed Forces, except the Support to the Armed Forces award which is specifically for civilians.
In focusing on the excellence of our Armed Forces, whether it be on operations or routine events, the awards are an opportunity to highlight the high calibre of Service personnel and the achievements of the last 12 months.
Commenting on the awards, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff, said:
We live in a complex world, where the threats to our national security, our people and their interests continue to grow and change. But in this uncertain environment, there is one thing we can be sure of - one thing we can rely on: the courage of our servicemen and women.
We know that they will do their duty; that they will perform superbly on our behalf in the most arduous and dangerous of conditions. They do it for us - for the people of this nation. So imagine how much it means when they know that back home we are taking the time to say 'thank you'.
All the nominees for the 2008 Millies were hosted by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah at 10 Downing Street prior to the awards ceremony
[Picture: Arthur Edwards]
Now in their second year, the Sun Military Awards are an excellent opportunity for everyone to do just that. So I urge you to nominate an individual or a unit for the various awards, and to play your part in the continuing success of the Millies.
The Millies 09 awards ceremony will be a glittering event at Hampton Court on 15 December and will be broadcast on ITV - last year guests included Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.