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It was wonderful to see the end of the Afghan war marked by Friday’s service at St Paul's Cathedral.
My Hubby is from Gloucester and his dad was with "The Glorious Glosters" in Korea. He was wounded and made a full recovery. He was a member of the British Legion and through him and that fantastic organisation I got to know many veterans. John Beauchamp from the British Legion and all those incredible residents of Wotton Basset did so much to highlight the sacrifice being made by the men and women out there. I also thought Ross Kemps documentaries were a fantastic eye opener.
For the first year or so of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaign the Antis protest seemed to be the only home coverage. I actually had to interview a group as part of a research commission and was appalled at their ignorance. I was also angry that the media only wanted to highlight and sensationalise the political arguments. The residents of Wotton Bassett quietly and with great dignity changed all that. It turned a name mentioned in a news report into a son, father or brother. It pointed out that no matter what your political feelings or how loud the dissentient, these men and women were doing a job. Personally I understand exactly why they were there and how essential the campaign was but even if I disagreed I would think it vital that we all honour those who did their duty in our name.
When the staff at Charlie Hebdo were murdered I wanted to scream ‘Je Suis Charlie’ from the roof tops but I did not because I was afraid. I lacked courage. I was also afraid of repercussions on any publication or indeed website where my work would appear. The men and women who died in Iraq and Afghanistan felt fear but they had courage. Their friends and families also showed great stoicism in light of the protests that overshadowed the human cost.
Much of the poetry and sentiments from centuries ago are still relevant. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends’ is a quote from the Bible of St. John. From our schooldays we remember the beautiful and poignant words of Brooke, Owen and Sassoon but we should also take a look at their modern counterparts. The famous ‘do not stand by grave and weep’ is believed to have been written by a young soldier killed in Northern Ireland but I would recommend everyone to read Memories of war. I actually find this poem by ex-infantry Officer Ed Poynter (Iraq and Afghanistan) more relevant and incredibly moving.
My Hubby is from Gloucester and his dad was with "The Glorious Glosters" in Korea. He was wounded and made a full recovery. He was a member of the British Legion and through him and that fantastic organisation I got to know many veterans. John Beauchamp from the British Legion and all those incredible residents of Wotton Basset did so much to highlight the sacrifice being made by the men and women out there. I also thought Ross Kemps documentaries were a fantastic eye opener.
For the first year or so of the Iraq and Afghanistan campaign the Antis protest seemed to be the only home coverage. I actually had to interview a group as part of a research commission and was appalled at their ignorance. I was also angry that the media only wanted to highlight and sensationalise the political arguments. The residents of Wotton Bassett quietly and with great dignity changed all that. It turned a name mentioned in a news report into a son, father or brother. It pointed out that no matter what your political feelings or how loud the dissentient, these men and women were doing a job. Personally I understand exactly why they were there and how essential the campaign was but even if I disagreed I would think it vital that we all honour those who did their duty in our name.
When the staff at Charlie Hebdo were murdered I wanted to scream ‘Je Suis Charlie’ from the roof tops but I did not because I was afraid. I lacked courage. I was also afraid of repercussions on any publication or indeed website where my work would appear. The men and women who died in Iraq and Afghanistan felt fear but they had courage. Their friends and families also showed great stoicism in light of the protests that overshadowed the human cost.
Much of the poetry and sentiments from centuries ago are still relevant. ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends’ is a quote from the Bible of St. John. From our schooldays we remember the beautiful and poignant words of Brooke, Owen and Sassoon but we should also take a look at their modern counterparts. The famous ‘do not stand by grave and weep’ is believed to have been written by a young soldier killed in Northern Ireland but I would recommend everyone to read Memories of war. I actually find this poem by ex-infantry Officer Ed Poynter (Iraq and Afghanistan) more relevant and incredibly moving.
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