Second World War
veterans will travel overseas for commemorations
of the Normandy Landings and the Battle of
Arnhem, paid for by the Government.
This commitment ensures that those who served can
attend remembrance ceremonies in Europe, returning
to sites of profound historical and
personal importance.
The Ministry
of Defence (MOD) will provide
the funding to the Royal British
Legion, which offers lifelong support and expert advice to
the Armed Forces community including serving personnel, veterans,
their families and the bereaved.
The Royal British Legion will give the funding
to charities such as The Spirit of Normandy Trust
and The Taxi Charity for Military
Veterans to make the visits to commemorative
events possible.
Defence Secretary MP said:
VE Day reminds the nation of the importance of coming together to
honour those who secured our freedom more than eight decades ago.
Standing at Utah Beach during previous D-Day commemorations, I
was struck by the extraordinary courage of those who came ashore
in 1944 – young men facing unimaginable danger to secure the
freedoms we endure today.
While we can never repay the depth of their service, I am
determined to ensure we honour our Second World War veterans and
their extraordinary contribution to our freedom.
The funding follows the 2025 publication of a 10-year
Veterans Strategy and the Strategic
Defence Review, which commit to use a
whole-of-society approach to defence and celebrate the
contribution of veterans to the community and national
security. The government is investing record levels
in veterans, with Office for
Veterans' Affairs in the MOD rolling out a
new £50m support system called VALOUR across
the UK.
Minister for Veterans and People, MP said:
We are delivering on our promise in
our Veterans Strategy, providing visible
support to the devoted veterans who have
served in our Armed Forces.
This government is renewing the nation's contract with those who
serve, and our actions are guided by the change
that veterans want to see.
I have seen firsthand how important these commemorations are to
our veterans and am committed to supporting their continued
attendance.
With the number of living Second World War veterans declining,
the government recognises the importance of supporting them to
pass on their legacy to future generations.
The enduring relationship between the UK and its Armed
Forces remains invaluable and must be
protected.
This essential defence funding enables veterans
to return to the places where they served, honour those
who did not come home, and reconnect with their shared
history.
From the beaches of Normandy to battlefields in Europe,
these journeys are a vital act of remembrance.
Richard Palusinski, Chairman, Spirit of Normandy
Trust said:
Over the many years that I have been taking veterans to Normandy
for the annual D-Day commemorations I have come to understand
that they make the trip each year not out of any sense of
bravado, but to remember those who paid the ultimate
price.
As a small charity we have limited ability to raise the necessary
funds to ensure a safe and meaningful pilgrimage for the
veterans, particularly as they have reached a great age and their
needs are more complex. The funding from the Office for
Veterans Affairs is vital, enabling us to embark or the
pilgrimages with confidence and give the veterans the opportunity
to honour their friends.
Steve Baynes, the Royal British Legion's Head of Grants,
said:
The freedoms we enjoy today would not have been possible without
the courage and sacrifice of the Second World War generation, and
as the nation's champion of Remembrance, the RBL is dedicated to
ensuring their legacy is always remembered.
We're proud to be working with the Office for Veterans' Affairs
to ensure those who served can attend commemorative events across
Europe, and delighted to be collaborating with the Spirit of
Normandy Trust and the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, whose
long-standing experience in organising these deeply meaningful
visits is invaluable.
This government remains committed to supporting
veterans emotionally and financially as they continue
to pay their respects through these annual pilgrimages.
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