JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Members from the 12th Flying Training Wing invited a trio of British Army veterans to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph for a tour, chips and cheers May 16 as part of their week-long visit to San Antonio, which concluded May 18 with their participation in the second America's Armed Forces River Parade at the River Walk.
The Chelsea Pensioners are a storied group of British veterans who surrender their Army pensions to reside at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, located in London, England - founded by King Charles II and completed in 1692.
Wearing distinctive and traditional scarlet coats, the Pensioners were shown around Randolph, stopping by to see the inside of the Taj Mahal and the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action museum at Hangar 12, where the 560th Flying Training Squadron is located.
"It was fantastic," William Fox, 78-year-old Chelsea Pensioner, said. "It's a nice change of scenery from crowded Chelsea (London)."
Fox, who goes by "Paddy," served in the British Army for 35 years and has been a Chelsea Pensioner since 2001.
At the Royal Hospital Chelsea, he rooms with nearly 300 in-pensioners - another term for those residing at the Royal Hospital - where each is provided a 9 foot by 9 foot dormitory-style room, clothing and full medical care.
"The average age of an in-pensioner is 84, and the oldest one is currently 102 years old," Fox said. "We are all married to the regiment, so we speak the same language: army."
For consideration to live at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a candidate must have been a former non-commissioned officer in the British Army, in receipt of an Army Service or War Disability
Pension, age 65 or older and free from the responsibility to support a spouse, partner or family.
David Thomson, age 67, joined the special group of redcoats last October as the youngest "bloke" at the time, he said.
"A lot of them are old enough to be my father; many served during World War II," Thomson said. "We all get to live private lives as we please, but I like to keep up with the activities of the Hospital," including taking walks, going to art galleries and traveling.
For Donald Crassweller, 74-year-old Chelsea Pensioner, golf and a popular English sport called lawn bowls are his favorite hobbies.
Lawn bowls, usually played outdoors on a flat, grass surface where the objective is to roll a ball closest to another smaller ball, has taken Crassweller to places like Portugal and Spain for competition.
He gave credit to the men and women of his unique organization for his experience.
"Since being with the Pensioners for six years, I've done so many things," he said. "Sometimes I have to prick myself to make sure I'm not dreaming."
The Chelsea Pensioners are encouraged to dress in uniform only for special occasions, such as parades, when members of British royalty visit them and when they travel.
While temperatures were toasty during their Randolph trip, they were good sports about sporting red.
"If it's hot, it's hot, and I accept that," Crassweller said.
"They're kind of like celebrities, especially in London," Lt. Col. Todd Ernst, 12th FTW Innovation and C3 director, said. "It's exciting to be able to tell our own distinct stories, but from the commonality of our shared military backgrounds, it was great to hear about the rich history of the Pensioners."