A BLIND Worcester veteran was among those to march at the Cenotaph as part of the national Remembrance Sunday commemorations thanks to Blind Veterans UK, the national charity for vision-impaired ex-service men and women.
Michael Stone, 97, marched with more than 100 other blind veterans at during the emotional service in the heart of London as thousands gathered to pay their respect to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
The brave veteran was among hundreds of veterans to march past the Cenotaph after the national service to commemorate and speaking after the event the former Royal Artillery servicemen reflected on the emptional experience.
“I was very proud to represent all the boys who didn’t return home and was thinking about all the ones that I knew personally,” he said.
Michael joined the Royal Artillery in 1940. He served throughout Europe and most notably in Normandy where he landed on the beaches on D-Day as a young officer in charge of four guns.
“I had the opportunity to become an Air Observation Post (AOP) pilot in 1944 and I was very proud to receive my army wings,” he said. He was demobbed in October 1946.
Michael lost his sight three years ago due to Macular Degeneration. After finding out about Blind Veterans UK he started receiving support from the charity in 2016.
“I find my sight loss extremely irritating and it has affected my life considerably. The charity though have been extraordinarily helpful and good. They are always inviting me to things and you never feel forgotten about. I can’t praise them enough,” he said.
Blind Veterans UK was founded more than 100 years ago to support those blinded in the First World War. Now, the charity supports veterans regardless of when they served or how they lost their sight.
Chief executive of Blind Veterans UK, Major General (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB said: “Michael is rightly proud to have marched with our blind veterans this Remembrance Sunday. This is the time of year when we reflect on the sacrifice and service of all our members of the Armed Forces and their families.
“Today we support more blind veterans than ever before in our history, but we know there are many more who still need our support to rebuild their lives following their sight loss. I would encourage anyone who thinks they know someone who could be entitled to our support to get in touch today.”
Visit www.blindveterans.org.uk for more.
