Armed Forces veterans, including those who served during WWII, have taken part in events at Royal Star & Garter’s three Homes to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
Residents at the charity’s Homes in Solihull, Surbiton and High Wycombe took part in commemorations, which included the lighting of a Lamp Light of Peace and a two-minute silence.
The Homes were specially decked with bunting and decorations to mark the day. Residents watched live coverage of the UK national commemorations from the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, and observed the two-minute silence.
Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. The charity has also launched new services reaching out into the community. Each of its Homes cares for residents who served during WWII.
Residents also celebrated the D-Day landings for laying the foundations of the Allied victory in WWII, and the courage and heroism of those who took part in it.
At Solihull, singer Debbie Miles provided live entertainment. In Royal Star & Garter in Surbiton, residents enjoyed a D-Day street party barbecue, which was also attended by members of the Combined Cadet Force at Southborough High School. Music duo Eel Pie Two came in to perform in the afternoon.
At High Wycombe, residents lit a Lamp Light of Peace, to represent the ‘light of peace’ that emerged from the darkness of war. Later in the day, staff dressed as 1940s service personnel and Land Girls, and there was live music from singer Liza Jazz and a tea party.
Residents and staff at all three Homes also tucked into delicious D-Day cupcakes, made by caterers Signature Dining.
Shirley Hall, Director of Care & Wellbeing at Royal Star & Garter, said: “Each of our Homes has residents who served in WWII. We also have many more who lived through D-Day and remember the events surrounding that day 80 years ago vividly. It is important for our residents and our staff to honour the bravery and sacrifice of those who took part in the D-Day landings. I’m glad we were able to do that.”
