By Tim Saunders on
Prince Charles joined former servicemen to acknowledge the achievements of a charity which helps psychologically-scarred military veterans rebuild their lives.
The Prince attended a service of commemoration, celebration and rededication at Westminster Abby with the Duchess of Cornwall to mark the 90th anniversary of the charitable organization Combat Stress.
Combat Stress was set up over 80 years ago, and has provided over 75,000 veterans of war with a unique lifeline. Currently, they take on 700 new veterans every year, the youngest in their early twenties, the oldest in their nineties. They provide stays at treatment facilities, psychiatric support, and also occupational therapy to help veterans rebuild their lives and provide a break for their families.
During the service the work of the charity was celebrated through hymns, prayers and readings.
“There are too many people who have served in our Armed Forces, or who at present offer service in this way, who are nursing hidden wounds today and who have not yet asked for help,” said Right Rev David Conner, Dean of Windsor and Bishop to the Armed Forces. “There will be many many more. The hidden wounds they suffer are wounds suffered in our name and for our benefit – too easily we can ask too much of them.”
Copyright © 2009 Look to the Stars
