Harry hails veterans at ceremony (From Croydon Guardian)

Harry hails veterans at ceremony

2:32am Tuesday 8th May 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Prince Harry has hailed Britain's wounded veterans "heroes" as he accepted a humanitarian award for his efforts supporting injured members of the Armed Forces.

The prince paid tribute to servicemen and women battling to rebuild their lives after suffering terrible injuries fighting for their country during an awards ceremony in Washington on Monday night.

His comments came after he met some of those heroes - a group of servicemen and women who had competed at America's Warrior Games, an event for wounded service personnel.

The athletes won five gold medals and a bronze during the sporting event where injured veterans compete in Paralympic-style competitions.

Harry received the humanitarian award from the Atlantic Council, a body which promotes transatlantic co-operation and international security, and he follows in the footsteps of U2 frontman Bono, who received the honour in 2010.

Speaking during the awards ceremony held at an exclusive Washington hotel, Harry said: "It would be wrong of me to speak for these heroes, but not presumptuous of me to pay tribute to them - so many of our servicemen and women have made the ultimate sacrifice; so many lives have been lost and so many changed forever by the wounds that they have suffered in the course of their duties.

"They have paid a terrible price to keep us safe and free. The very least we owe them is to make sure that they and their brave families have everything they need through their darkest days - and, in time, regain the hope and confidence to flourish again. For these selfless people, it is after the guns have fallen silent, the din of battle quietened, that the real fight begins - a fight that may last for the rest of their lives."

Harry chose to accept the award on behalf of himself and his brother, the Duke of Cambridge, as William is also a committed supporter of Britain's Armed Forces, and through their foundation both princes tackle the issue of caring for disabled and wounded servicemen and women.

Members of the UK's Warrior Games team and some of their American competitors chatted to the prince at the Washington residence of Britain's Ambassador to America Sir Peter Westmacott.

The 16 men and women of the British team, which was funded and supported by the charity Help For Heroes, were guest competitors at the Warrior Games staged last week in Colorado Springs and normally open only to US armed forces.