Lest we forget.

[Al R]

The other half,

I saw these shots and thought of you, with sadness and with pride too. None of it makes sense, and I don't know whether we turn to pride as some kind of coping mechanism. I watched the Above Enemy Lines prog tonight, and the over riding thought I have is that although Private Gray was but a young lad, right at the bottom of the pile, at his moment of dying, he was surrounded by more care and dare I say love, than any General would ever get.

In life as in death, 'we' are all bonded by the same intangible dna, and we (I, anyway) bow my head in complete abject humility at the sacrifice that your fella made. We don't think of it in anything other than abstract terms, but he was prepared to lay down his life in the service of others, and I am just so humbled.

I'll make a point of dropping in and saying hello to him. As I suppose, will we all at some point. I don't know him, as far as I know I didn't meet him, but he won't ever get lonely I imagine! And although he sleeps soundly and lives forever at the same time, we will remember him, and them, with love, care, protection and with so much pride.

They can't be hurt anymore.

[Tappers Dad]

theotherhalf keep the faith

"I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine" 'He said,

"For you to love the while he lives

and mourn for when he's dead.

It may be six or seven years, or twenty two or three,

But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He’ll bring his charm to gladden you but should his stay be brief,

you'll have his lovely memories, a solace for your grief.

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return,

but there are lessons taught down there

I want this child to learn.

I've looked this wide world over in search of teachers true,

and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes

I've decided upon you.

Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain,

nor hate me when I come to call

to take him back again?"

I fancy that I heard them say;

“Dear Lord, Thy will be done,

for all the joy this child will bring,

the risk of grief we'll run.

We'll shelter him with tenderness,

we'll love him while we may,

and for the happiness we've known, for ever grateful stay.

And should the angels call for him,

much sooner than we planned,

we'll brave the bitter grief we'll feel,

and try to understand."

Anon

[Al R]

Thats a lovely poem TD.

[Topsy Turvey]

Which names on AFM?

5206
Taken from AFM Website Q&A.
Who will be included on the memorial?
In general, members of the UK Armed Forces killed on duty, or as a result of terrorist action since the end of the Second World War will be included. Members of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and the Merchant Navy who died in conflict zones while in direct support of the Armed Forces will also be included.
Who decides who will be included on the memorial?
The Trustees of the Armed Forces Memorial Trust will decide who to include on the Memorial. They have discretion in all cases.
In what circumstances will someone be included?
The emphasis of the new memorial is to recognise those 'killed on duty' and so it will commemorate those killed in training, on peacekeeping operations and on exercise as well as battle casualties.

[samuraimatt]

They said that the memorial included those killed during training. What about those killed at deepcut?

[Samuel]

Samurai....

...living proof that not everything in life has a purpose.

[cornish-stormrider]

So many names, so many mates, so many brothers and sisters never known, so much space, so many tears,

Time to go and hoist a large whisky in the finest traditions of memorial. What a beautiful place to honour our fallen friends.

[teeteringhead]

samurai

... with the greatest respect ... I really rather doubt that you know anyone whose name appears at Alrewas.....

..... if you did you would almost certainly not defile their memory with such inappropriate posting.

Deepcut may well be a problem, but here just ain't the place to air it.

Do I make myself clear...........?

[davejb]

The most fitting memorial will be that the remaining space is still blank ten years from now.
Dave

[5206]

Topsy,

Thanks.

IMHO, there needs to be a clear distinction between those names on the wall and those on the roll of honour, otherwise the next "15 000" will be diluted by those who died in circumstances that do not represent the sacrifice of the others. Dying on a bit of AT isn't the same as dying in Afg (wrt to this memorial).

5206

[ArthurR]

Theotherhalf well said

Davejb lets hope,

[neilmac]

AFM

A special place for special people, about time. Forget whatever reason for building it now, that doesnt matter a precious place for relatives to visit.
In the end memories and how they were loved will remain and that is priceless

NM