Too Old-Too Soft
 

It is now almost 60 years since I joined the Service, but as an ex-Halton Brat, ex-steel-ly eyed killer, ex-QFI, ex-Kipper Fleet Skipper I watched the BBC 6 o'clock news this evening and tears rolled down my face as the four kid's, for that was what they were, coffins were unloaded at Lyneham and I thought why?

Sure during my days at AFS's in the 50's we lost lots of students and we attended their funerals but they had chosen to do what they wanted but these were sent by some mealy mouthed politicians who do not appear to have the courage to admit that they have screwed up once again.
What can one do? Do as I have done and take the nationality of another country----No, that does not help as the TV images only serve to remind one of what one's country of birth has sunk to, so one lives with the anguish and sorrow for young lives that are being sacrificed for what?
Sorry, grief, anger and red wine take over!!!

Shack,

I could not agree more.

The nation must accept that Bliar, Broon, and all other dickheads
in this "governement" cannot organise a pissup in a brewery.

The British armed forces deserve, as thay always have done, the utmost repect from the world. I believe that they do from the voting public, but sadly there is none from the assholes in government who have no experience of life in the forces, let alone military experience.

It should also be noted that the MOD is full of either:

1:

No Shack.

You are not too old and too soft. I felt exactly the same and I also had tears streaming down my face. I thought what a waste, four youngsters with so much to live for and their lives cut short for such a futile and unecessary war. Blair and this useless government have so much to answer for.
My heart bleds for the parents and relatives of these brave lost souls and I am so angry over the way the MoD and the Government mismanaged the return of the 15 naval personnel from Iran which could only have made the grief worse if that was possible.

Too Old-Too Soft
 

Shack

It is very sad when those so young have their lives plucked from under them before they have even had the chance to experience life at all. However, regardless of who made the decision (rightly or wrongly is a personal perspective); those of us who are still subject to the Military Code will still endeavour to do our duty to the best of our ability and hopefully in honour of all our fallen comrades regardless of their service.

SA

Absolutely right.

Problem is, how many more kids will come home in boxes before this crap is over. Left the service last month, TELIC and HERRICK made the decision easy, apart from when you think about friends still out there...

Shack, I came to your point of view a few years ago. I was amazed when Douglas Hurd also reached the same conclusion but many years after he left the Foreign Office.

Wars of necessity or whatever they called WW2 and the Falklands are a waste but a necessary one to preserve our freedoms. Confrontation with Indonesia might have been a war of choice except that we chose to preserve the freedom of our recent colonies.

The modern war of choice however is highly questionable.

What we achieved is manifest. What we hoped to achieve is questionable. What we are going to achieve, who knows.

Whither Pax Britannica now Pax Americana. Why?

Shack, cry on as I, for one, have joined you today. As long as there are people who recognise the true sacrifice made, then it somehow brings sense to that very same sacrifice. There will be those who use this thread to politicise the issue - they are wrong. As a band of brothers/sisters, our mutual honour and pride should not be undermined by questioning or finger pointing. To do so takes away the very respect that our fallen comarades demand.

No Shack, you're not too old or too soft. you are just a normal compassionate human being, who wept with many others in this country tonight at the sight of young men and womes, coming home having paid the ultimate price for peace and freedom.

Do not feel that you have to justify your feelings of sadness and anger, 'cos you don't and we all feel the same.

To the family's and friends of those who returned home today, and to those who have come home before you and those in the future, I am humbled at your sacrifice to this nation and to humanity.

God Bless each and every one of you. RIP

TSM

Ditto to everything above.

Soft as well
 

It's never easy watching the repats on TV - I saw it on the big screen at Kings Cross today and "welled up". The current ops are getting out of hand, breaking our boys and girls and causing the PVR rate to rocket while morale plummets...

Not sure I (or anyone) know (s) the answer to the problems, but have a fair idea about the cause...

RIP

JL

Just seen the footage on BBC; I too shed a tear and raised the remains of my glass to the fallen. Cannot help but be humbled yet proud. It was at least heartening to see the locals of Wooton Bassett lining the streets to pay their respects. Let us hope they are not called to do so too frequently, though I suspect that may be a vain hope. Godspeed to those who, after all, were simply trying to rebuild a torn nation.

Shack

from another ex-Halton Brat and ex kipper fleet Eng,

I cried too... for the fallen and their families.

Private Eleanor Dlugosz's Mum, - such dignity - truly humbling.

RIP, bless you all.

Never too old or too soft. Hope I can help others out there from over here.

Shack
 

As an old friend I share your sorrow and anger. In a very short period of time we witnessed the best and the worst of the service men and women serving their country.

Shack,
I just wrote a long reply - then just deleted it - because quite simply you are so right.

:(

Be Proud
 

Shack,

I understand. Ex-Locking brat who went through OASC at Hornchurch in 1958 (yes, they were flying Mosquitos off the airfield as we did our exercises).

I lost friends too in Malaya, Indonesia, Aden, and places in between. But don't despair. They were doing what you and I did, and serving their Queen and country.

Politicians don't count. What counts is that we understand, and we know that they kept the faith. Grieve yes, but don't be sorry, be proud that that they served and did what they did. I'll raise a glass to them.

They all need our support. Hang in there chum.

An old fart's input.

Bob C

Many a true word has been said in the previous few posts. Young lives cut short are always tragic, even if the cause is just. The Iraq cause may be just, but we and Parliament were sold a lie by Bliar and that adds insult to the misery of seeing those pathetic coffins.

I cannot imagine the anguish felt by the bereaved families and my heart goes out to them.

Every one of our soldiers, sailors and airmen who have died in this war is worth ten of that clown in Downing Street.

The election cometh, the election cometh.

I can say little more against this appalling man who calls himself our Prime Minister. Shame it has taken the loss of life for so many to realise what he is really about. Where is he? What has he to say? What is he doing? I for one will not be buying his memoirs.

Isn't it just as well one family at least told Des Browne he is not welcome and to stay away.

JC

I too wanted to write a long missive, but cannot put the sorrow into words.

Well Done to those who have so eloquently summarised my own feelings

dgb