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Veteran soldiers' association shuts down

The average age of veterans who served in Finland's wars is 97.

President Sauli Niinistö dines with war veterans.
File photo of President Sauli Niinistö dining with veterans at the Presidential Palace on 1 December 2022. Image: Matti Porre / Tasavallan presidentin kanslia
  • Yle News
  • STT

The association for frontline veterans said it was staging its final meeting on Saturday, when it will terminate operations.

The association's chair, Matti Louekoski, said the advanced age of its members contributed to operations coming to an end. Today with an average age of 97, veterans are generally unable to participate in the group's meetings and other organisational activities.

The Tammenlehvä Heritage Association will now take over veteran advocacy and matters related to preserving the legacy of Finnish veterans.

In 2020, the Finnish War Veterans Federation said the majority of surviving veterans were now female, with Finland's last vet expected to survive until 2036.

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