There but for the grace of God go I

[fozzie]

I spent several hours yesterday evening watching a very moving and powerful piece of television. The show was “Fallen”. It just listed all 300 of our young people lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every now and again they would stop on a particular name, give details and talk to the family. I watched through tear stained eyes. They were tears of sadness and anger. Sadness whilst watching a little boy talking of his daddy. Anger at watching a father, who was obviously ex military, trying not to show any emotion and not quite making it. I found myself shouting at the screen “Cry you silly man its not a sign of weakness! It’s a sign of love”. I was laughing with a little girl who explained that her daddy was in heaven eating crispy duck, cos it was his favourite. I lost it completely when a father was reading a letter from his son “I love you Dad, I hope you are proud of me, cos that’s all I wanted”. I was angry at watching families crumble on camera, so would change channels only to be drawn back.

I cannot profess to understand what those families went through. I can,however, emphasise a little, but only a little. Our son did two tours to the Middle East whilst in the Marines, these were at the time of the Kuwait invasion. I cannot express what happens when you hear “there have been some British casualties” on the news channels. Your heart stops, you go into a cold sweat. I used to selfishly pray, “Please God not us”. You jump at every knock on the door and telephone call till the next day, by which time you know it’s not your little boy. Our lad is no longer in the marines but those words still have a chilling affect. If we are both in the same room we just look at each other and that’s all we say.

[JennyWrenn]

I didnt watch this but can imagine how emotive it was

I wasnt born during the last war but have been watching some of the awful awful conditions our poor men were in - the trenches dont bear thinking about

The TV companies have been doing a wonderful job with re enactments using actors - some of the men were just so brave it is un real - they were all there for one another and their country

I too had tears but was drawn to watch to the end

I wonder in many years to come will this present generation not give time of day to these programmes

I watched the Remembrance Day Service at the Cenotaph and how wonderful to see so many countries placing their own wreaths -

[nightowl]

I am surprised there has been so little response to Fozzies original post on this topic. Must admit I couldn't think of anything to say because it's just such a big emotional subject

All that keeps coming to mind is what a terrible waste of lives war is, and how amazing it is that people are still willing to risk their lives to serve their country in this self-centred, "me,me" type of collective outlook we have these days.

Our lads and lasses are incredible. They deserve far better than the ill-equipped, under-funded hell our government sends them to serve in

[Biggles]

My thoughts aswell N O.

I cant add much more to that--

[nightowl]

I heard somewhere that the US Army calls our lot "The Borrowers", because they are always on the cadge for something they need and haven't got. Even things like toilet paper!!!

[Deleted]

This seems like a good place to promote this site (and I ok'd it with Foz first)

www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

Our brave men & women are the best in the world and I cannot comprehend what it must be like for their families. Everyone of you with serving personnel in your families has my utmost respect.

We should give them all our help and support.

FA x

[Barbara]

Nov 20, 2008 9:37:37 GMT nightowl said:

I heard somewhere that the US Army calls our lot "The Borrowers", because they are always on the cadge for something they need and haven't got. Even things like toilet paper!!!

when my son came back from Iraq, he said the yanks have EVERYTHING , its like they are still at home.

[fozzie]

Nov 20, 2008 9:37:37 GMT nightowl said:

I heard somewhere that the US Army calls our lot "The Borrowers", because they are always on the cadge for something they need and haven't got. Even things like toilet paper!!!

NO
there is an amusing sequel re quality rather than quantity to that. When my lad was in Kuwait. They used to have races in half track personel carriers. If you will pardon the vernacular, they thrashed the arse off them. One day the borrowed one from the US Army camp next door. It had to be towed back after less than two miles with a seized engine and broken tracks

My maudling mood appears each year around this time. I am out of it now, Tig gave me a good talking to. All I'll say is I could not believe how a list of names could be so powerful.

I never saw my lad so full of life and excited as when he was doing those tours. Oh, to be young and see all as an adventure, even when someone is shooting back. To quote him "It's good to put all the training into practise and see it working"