AFRH Residents visit Royal Hospital Chelsea
In June 2025, two residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home (AFRH)—one each from Washington and Gulfport— embarked on a journey of remembrance, camaraderie, and honor, traveling to London, England to participate in the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s annual Founders Day Parade.
AFRH Residents Brad Marshall and Jay Swarbrick represented AFRH at this storied event, which honors the service of British Army veterans known as Chelsea Pensioners. The Old Soldiers Home Foundation was proud to cover flights and other expenses to support this meaningful exchange of shared military legacy.
Held each year to commemorate the founding of the Royal Hospital by King Charles II in 1682, Founders Day is a pageant of tradition and reverence. The Chelsea Pensioners, clad in their distinctive scarlet coats, parade proudly in honor of service past and present.
Brad and Jay stood among the Royal Hospital’s honored Pensioners and met the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, during the parade’s official review.
Guided by gracious Pensioner hosts Albert Weastell and David Godwin, Brad and Jay formed new friendships and shared stories with fellow veterans across the Atlantic. They stayed in the historic ward rooms on the hospital campus and dined with Pensioners in their grand dining hall—immersing themselves fully in the rhythms of life at RHC. Beyond the parade grounds, their itinerary included:
A behind-the-scenes viewing of the Changing of the Guard at Wellington Barracks
An in-depth tour of Westminster Abbey
The solemn and storied Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London
Many rides on the Underground and obligatory visits to pubs
Brad, a retired Air Force Technical Sergeant and champion archer, called the experience one of the most moving trips he’s taken since retiring to AFRH-Washington in 2023, particularly the opportunity to reconnect with archery friends in Bury St Edmunds near where he spent a number of years during his Air Force service.
Jay, a retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class who now lives at AFRH-Gulfport, was so moved by the warm hospitality he received that he accelerated planning a return trip to England in 2026 with his wife Marian.
The Old Soldiers Home Foundation was proud to be part of making this journey possible, fulfilling our mission to support meaningful programs and opportunities that enrich the lives of AFRH residents. This cultural and commemorative exchange serves as a powerful example of how honoring the past can forge new friendships—and even stronger futures.
Your support helps bring opportunities like this to life. To fund future cultural exchanges, ceremonies, and veteran enrichment programs, please consider making a donation today. Every contribution honors the legacy of our veterans and deepens the sense of connection across generations and nations.