SOLDIERS and veterans came together and shared stories to mark Armed Forces Day.
Residents at Royal Star and Garter Home in Solihull welcomed four soldiers from the Royal Logistic Corps and spoke about life in the services and how despite being in two different time periods there were many shared experiences.
The event was organised to mark Armed Forces Day by the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) – the Army’s national charity which supports soldiers, veterans, and their families, for life.
Since 1944, the charity has been at the forefront of support for the Army family, there through all of life’s challenges, including bereavement, injury, getting back to work, elderly care, and much more besides.
The ABF is a supporter of Royal Star and Garter, which cares for veterans and their loved ones with dementia or disability, giving regular grants to support its Wellbeing Programme, which is designed to enhance the physical, emotional and cognitive health of veterans.
The soldiers also joined in with music activities at the Home.
Zoe Casey, deputy home manager at Royal Star and Garter in Solihull, said: “Having four soldiers in uniform created such a buzz in the Home, and by the time they finished there were quite a few residents who had gathered around to chat with them.
“Despite the age gap, the soldiers and veterans still had so much in common through their service, and it was beautiful to see how much they all enjoyed spending time in one another’s company.”
Retired Brigadier Peter Monteith, chief operating officer, Army Benevolent Fund, said: “We were honoured to bring together serving soldiers with Army veterans and beneficiaries at the Royal Star and Garter Home in Solihull.
“The visit served as a powerful reminder of the strength and unity of the Army family, and of the ABF’s enduring commitment to supporting soldiers, veterans, and their families. Our sincere thanks to the Royal Star and Garter team for making this meaningful collaboration possible.”
