29th June 2009
Royal Star & Garter's Richmond Home Celebrates Armed Forces Day
The Royal Star & Garter Homes for Disabled Ex-Service Men & Women celebrated Armed Forces Day on Saturday at their Richmond Home with pink champagne, a cream tea, and the launch of 2000 red, white, and blue balloons to the accompaniment of music from The Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers.
While residents and their families enjoyed a splendid strawberry tea, the band, which came all the way from Chatham in Kent where the national celebrations were taking place, entertained them with a diverse repertoire of traditional and modern tunes. The 35 talented musicians in their bright red uniforms added colour and spectacle to a lovely sunny afternoon.
Then it was time for the Charity's Chairman, Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt, to launch the balloons. Each of the balloons Sir John sent skywards carried a tag with a message from The Royal Star & Garter Charity's residents and supporters.
Toasting the residents with champagne, Sir John said: "Armed Forces Day has been introduced to show support for our whole Armed Forces community, including currently Serving troops and recruits as well as veterans. The Royal Star & Garter Homes are very proud to care for those who have Served, and we are delighted that the state-of-the-art facilities at the new homes we are building around the country allow us to extend our special brand of care to those with dementia and also enable us to offer interim care for young disabled Service personnel."
While residents and their families enjoyed a splendid tea including strawberries and cream, vocalist Beryl Briscoe set the mood, encouraging everyone to join her in familiar songs such as "Pack up your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag" and "Bye Bye Blackbird".
Then it was time for the guest of honour, George Cross hero Lance Corporal Matt Croucher, to launch the balloons. The Royal Marine reservist from Solihull was awarded the nation's highest honour after he dived on a live grenade to save his comrades in Afghanistan. Each of the balloons Matt sent skywards carried a tag with a message from The Royal Star & Garter Charity's residents and supporters.
Toasting the residents with champagne, the Charity's Chief Executive Mike Barter said: "Armed Forces Day has been introduced to show support for our whole Armed Forces community, including currently Serving troops and recruits as well as veterans. The Royal Star & Garter Homes are very proud to care for those who have Served, and in addition to our older residents it is good to have 21-year-old Royal Marine Dominic Lovett staying with us until his permanent accommodation is ready. Dominic is an inspiration to us all, going diving in Florida, parachute jumping, and paragliding in spite of the fact that he has limited movement in his arms and none in his legs or torso. Matt Croucher's presence here today is another reminder of all that the young men and women in the military are doing for their country in current conflicts while Matt himself is an exceptional role model for his courage."