Steve McCabe MP (Birmingham Selly Oak) yesterday, Monday 27 June welcomed Veterans’ from across Birmingham and the West Midlands to Swanshurst Girls School in Billesley for the 13th Annual Veterans’ Day.
The annual Veteran’s Day has not been held since 2019 due to COVID-19 but this year made a triumphant return. Steve welcomed Veterans from World War Two, the Korean War, Suez Canal and more recent conflicts to Swanshurst Girls School in Billesley. Veterans’ Day is all about saying thank you to our Veterans for their contribution and giving them an opportunity to pass on their memories and stories to the next generation.
The main part of the day involves the Veterans meeting 300 pupils in Year 8 (aged 12/13 years old) and sharing their wartime stories and experiences. The students gain an invaluable insight into what it was like to live through conflict and is a vital part of their oral history learning. This year was made particularly special by a group of pupils being able to hear a testimony from Mindu Hornick MBE who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
One of the highlights from the day was the Veterans’ March through the school grounds which is cheered on by the pupils at Swanshurst School. This year’s parade was marshalled by Colonel John Bell and featured music from Stuart and David from the Services for Education.
Steve was honoured to welcome special guests including the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, Colonel Heidi Doughty OBE, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Cllr Maureen Cornish, Holocaust survivor Mindu Hornick MBE and Colonel John Bell from the 202 (Midlands) Field Hospital based on Dawberry Road in Brandwood.
Steve McCabe MP said:
“It was a privilege to be back at Swanshurst School for the 13th Annual Veterans Day and to pay tribute to our fantastic veterans from the constituency and across the West Midlands. We haven’t been able to meet for the past two years due to the outbreak of COVID-19 but this year we were pleased to restart the event to honour our incredible veterans for their service.
There is nothing more powerful than hearing their experiences which help keep memories alive and ensure their contribution continues to be appreciated by future generations. Through this special day we recognise their pain, suffering and sacrifice and we remain grateful for all they have done for us”
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