NutLoose,


I would have wished to make the same point but was pre-empted; you probably made it better than I would have done. Thank you.

Sometimes I read comments like some on this thread, and think that many in the UK military have embraced and indeed idolized the "Tommy" status so skilfully described by Rudyard Kipling - to the point they get upset if anyone breaks the pattern by actually honoring them for having placed their lives in risk on behalf of their country.

Traumatic Bonding pathology is rather insidious, as it makes the victim believe they don't deserve better (or even adequate) treatment from their abuser, and they feel scared if there isn't abuse.

Nutloose - well said.

Remember the old recruiting adverts along the lines of "It's not a job, it's a career" ?

Forgive me but I don't believe shop assistants or nurses had to go through basic training, bull nights, beastings, Tacevals, 4 or 6 month detachments to places where if you didn't have a sense of humour you would go mad, and in the last decade + the very real risk of dying. With apologies to the aircrew who, during the Cold War, did more than their fair share of attending funerals.

Okay those who served in the 80/90's did not face muck and bullets on a regular basis, if ever, but there was a sense of 'all in it together'

And that has stuck with me throughout my post RAF life. Probably more than I like to admit.

So, if I lived nearby, I would have gone to the chaps funeral. Not because I felt obligated, or wanted to somehow prove I am a better man.

But because in his life he was part of something that I was also part of.

Put it this way. If a number of Forces people had gone, you reckon there was a chance someone might have said 'Anyone fancy a pint' ?

And I like to think that a number of hours later some very happy people having 'pulled up that sandbag, swung that lantern' and for a while remember something much, much bigger than themselves.

I await incoming.

Nutloose - Well said. "All of one company"

Too True Mate!

I would buy the first round!

Nutloose and ExRAFRadar

Two excellent posts which say it all.:ok:

Damn, Warrington Crem is near my old hometown (Northwich) and I'm back there pretty regularly to visit my folks.

On a side note my dad is now in a rest home and one of the other residents is an ex-WWII RAF bomber pilot. I'll be posting some of his stories as he's eager to share some of his experiences with me, almost as eager as I am to listen to them.

Honour the old warriors, we are only here because of their sacrifice.