TTN, on point of contact I agree. A veteran's badge says one thing, even a VRT qualify. A LS&GC medal says something else such as Service. On its own another message. It used to denote an OR, now no longer. With a jubilee medal, yet another.
They all serve as a point of reference at a gathering.
At Runnymede i spotted an Air Gunner Association badge on a car. What a tale that Vet had together with a photo album. At the club a unit tie opened up another story - ASW Wellingtons in the Gulf of Aden. An Arctic Star led to the 151 Sqn in Russia and he was subsequently Air attaché in Moscow.
Few Vets are Harrier pilots but are happy to tell a tale to anyone genuinely interested.
Gongs are important.