From Service to Remembrance: Sam's Journey of Honouring VE Day's Legacy

May 8

As we celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we thought we’d highlight Sam Webster, our MWMG Group Co-ordinator who served in the armed forces. Sam works hard in her role at MWMG to support businesses but is also passionate about supporting veterans with her work for the Royal British Legion.

1. Which branch of the armed forces did you serve in and for how long?

I joined the Women’s Royal Army Corps (WRAC), in 1987 as a Supply Specialist and carried out my basic training in Guilford, Surrey. In 1992, the Corp disbanded, and we joined our male counterparts (depending what trade) in the relevant Corps, I was part of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC). In 1993, the RAOC was disbanded and was amalgamated with 5 other Corps to become what is now know as the Royal Logistics Corps (RLC). I served for 22 years in various locations and took part in 5 Operational Tours.

2. What motivated you to join the armed forces initially?

My cousin was in the Parachute Regiment and was killed at the age of 19 in service on exercise in Berlin. I was 10 years old, from that moment I wanted to join the Army, to honour his memory, follow in his footsteps and continue what he couldn’t, so I did!

3. How did your military experience prepare you for your current role at MWMG?

My service gave me the confidence to engage with everyone from various companies, junior staff to senior executives and building relationships with external partners, treating each interaction with respect, clarity, and purpose. It taught me how to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, adapt quickly to different environments, and maintain professionalism in every interaction—skills I now use daily.

Ultimately, my military background helps me foster collaboration, build trust, and represent MWMG with the same integrity and commitment that guided me in uniform. I’m proud to carry forward that sense of purpose, and to keep building bridges between people, teams, and communities

4. Could you tell us about your involvement with the British Legion and what that organisation means to you?

I am the Chair of my local RBL, we always involve the community and school in our Poppy Appeal, this year marks the 100th Anniversary of our Branch, to commemorate we are extending our 9m Poppy Waterfall to 27m to cascade from the tower of our Church, so if you would like to help attach poppies please get in touch.

In some respects, The Legion is a lifeline, a community, and a reminder that service is never forgotten. For many veterans, involvement with the Legion provides a renewed sense of purpose and belonging, especially after the structure and camaraderie of military life.

As a Veteran, The Legion offers a place to connect with others who get it—who understand the language, the humour, whether through local branches, clubs, or remembrance.

Participating in the Legion’s commemorative efforts—Remembrance Sunday, the Poppy Appeal, and local memorials—keeps the stories and sacrifices of past generations alive. It’s a way of saying: We remember. We still serve in our own way.

5. How do the values instilled during your military service continue to guide you today?

The values instilled during my military service continue to guide me every single day. Discipline, integrity, and accountability aren’t just words—they’re habits that have become second nature. Resilience—something the military forged in me—helps me push through setbacks without losing focus. I also carry with me a deep respect for teamwork and leadership, knowing that success rarely comes from individual effort alone. Whether it's in my career, my community, the lessons I learned in uniform still shape my decisions and actions. Service didn’t end when I took off the uniform—it simply evolved.

6. In what ways do you feel businesses can better support veterans transitioning to civilian careers?

Businesses can play a critical role in helping veterans’ transition successfully into civilian careers, by recognising Military Skills. Many veterans have leadership, logistics, tech, medical, and crisis-management experience. Businesses could invest in training HR teams to understand how military roles translate into civilian job requirements.

Training for managers to understand the unique strengths—and potential challenges—veterans may bring, such as different communication styles or the effects of service-related trauma.

Companies can set hiring goals, track progress, and partner with veteran employment organisations to show they’re serious.

Hiring a Veteran, you get great value and a lot more than one skill!

Businesses can also sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, Mid Wales Manufacturing Group have signed up and The Covenant ensures that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, along with their families, are treated fairly and have access to the same opportunities as other citizens. It can be signed by various organizations, including businesses and local authorities, to demonstrate their commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community.

7. What lessons from the WWII generation do you think are most important for us to remember today?

The WWII generation—often called “The Greatest Generation”—left behind powerful lessons that remain relevant today and deserve to be lived out in our daily lives. They sacrificed their needs for something larger than themselves and faced extreme hardship through grit and determination showing great resilience in adversity. Camaraderie plays a massive part in the forces and the unity that this generation fostered, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and cultures is a lesson that could guide us in todays divided world.

8. How do you think we can best honor the sacrifices made by those who served in conflicts past and present?

Honoring the sacrifices of those who served in past and present conflicts goes far beyond parades and speeches—it’s about how we live, lead, and remember. Live with purpose, they served and fought for a better, freer world, live with integrity, contribute to communities and stand up for what is right, this honours their legacy. Preserve their stories, teach them, it ensures that their sacrifices are not forgotten. By honouring their sacrifice, it does not mean glorifying war, it means learning from it.

10. What message would you like to share with the community this VE Day?

VE Day is more than a moment in history—it’s a reminder of what courage, unity, and sacrifice can achieve. As a veteran, I reflect not only on the brave men and women who helped bring about victory in Europe 80 years ago, but also on the values they stood for: resilience in hardship, service before self, and unwavering commitment to freedom.

Today, we honour their legacy not just with remembrance, but with action—by looking out for one another, standing up for what’s right, and working together even when it’s hard. The peace they fought for came at a great cost, and it’s up to us to protect and preserve it in how we live each day.

Let’s carry their spirit forward—not just in silence at the cenotaph, but in how we treat each other, how we serve our communities, and how we teach the next generation what it means to stand together.