“Welcome to my home,” a Veteran at the Armed Forces Retirement Home said as he shook hands with Prince Charles on Thursday. Residents at the Washington, D.C. campus welcomed the Prince of Wales and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, as the royal couple visited one of the nation’s oldest residences for Veterans.

The Washington campus has been home to thousands of former enlisted and warrant officer Servicemembers since 1851. The buildings include historic quarters, President Lincoln’s Cottage and modern living areas for Veterans. Today, more than 400 Veterans call the D.C. campus home.

Navy Veteran Michael Martinez with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall Arriving just after 10:15 a.m., Prince Charles and his wife briefly visited President Lincoln’s cottage, before spending most of their time with the Veterans on campus.  They toured the art studio, wellness facilities, a ceramic and woodworking workshop, as well as the facility’s bowling alley.  Vietnam Veteran Michael Martinez talked with Prince Charles about how they both enjoy painting.

“We almost consider them our royal family, because we don’t have one,” Martinez, a Navy Veteran, told reporters after meeting Prince Charles.

The campus tour also included a stop at a display paying tribute to an international exchange program between the Armed Forces Retirement Home and the Royal Hospital of Chelsea. The royal couple saw a Chelsea pensioner’s uniform displayed side-by-side with a uniform from the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division.

For photos from the visit, view the photo gallery put together by the Vantage Point team.

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3 Comments

  1. George Tatten March 27, 2015 at 11:03

    My claim is complete at 70% on 01 March 2015 when do I get my back pay?

  2. Pierre Millet March 20, 2015 at 13:34

    Welcome home.
    Thank you for your service to USA and the world

    Sincerely,

    Pierre Millet

  3. Leonardo March 20, 2015 at 01:59

    Os EUA é o pais com o maior problema com veteranos de guerra que se tornam mendigos, desabrigados ou vagabundos, eles não tem estrutura para lidar com seus soldados depois que enfrentam os horrores da guerra. Sou eu que penso que talvez os EUA nunca tiveram a preocupação de que eles realmente voltassem?

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