The Disabled War Veterans Association of Finland celebrates 75 years in existence this year. The organisation was established in 1940 by former soldiers to care for their own.
On Tuesday afternoon more than 800 veterans and their family members, widows and well-wishers attended the NGO’s final major celebration before it wraps up activities in the early 2020s.
According to the group, by that time it would have seen off the last of the disabled veterans who served their country during wartime.
At the end of 2014, there were just over 3,900 disabled war veteran members, most of them still living at home.
The organisation says its funding stood at 7.2 million euros at the end of 2014, amounting to 1,840 euros per member. The level of support would fall to 500 euros if spouses are included.
Addressing veterans on the occasion of the jubilee, President Sauli Niinistö said it would not be possible to adequately thank or compensate them for their sacrifices.
"Your heroism was to endure immense pressure for a long time, even months or years. Knowing that that very day could well be your last. Still you persevered and endured," Niinistö said.
