Stand up and salute our heroes.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1215612/Pictured-Heartbreaking-courage-injured-soldier-pays-respects-bravest-brave-killed-Afghanistan.html

I say to those on this site who have no respect for our brave lads, that is those who say they are only in the Army because they didn't get enough academic passes on leaving school, I say look at these photos and can you still say that you do not have the highest regard for these heroes?

Bits of worthless paper, and a chance to spend their lives behind a desk pen pushing, are of no attraction for these guys, they are made of much more sterner stuff.

Can any of you out there, not be envious of their complete dedication and the comradeship between them, is there be such comradeship to be found in the 'Rat eat Rat' civilian world?

[sp1814]

AOG

Were branch of the services were you in?

[rov1200]

Obama is on the right track when he said that before any more troops be sent the strategy needs to be changed. Why should our innocent young men be sent at the behest of these military commanders who cannot stare defeat in the face. The numbers game has obliterated any sense of reality.

There was a hint of sanity when a US congressman said the battle should primarily be conducted with the use of drones. The terrain shows up terrorists not available when looking at towns and villages. For instance young men riding motorcycles with a rifle slung over their shoulders could be a prime target. These are pictures we have witnessed lately.

[Lonnie]

The shameful thing is, is that there are no more Military Hospitals left, but everyone can do their bit to help the wounded, by donating or buying on this site.

http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

[vulcan]

Well said dancairo.

[craft1948]

well I don't often agree with dancairo but well said.....

[jake-the-peg]

I have great respect for those who joined the forces to fight for the defence of this country or any other knowing what they were signing up for and the risks that they were taking.

I have much less respect for "adventurers" who having bummed their way through school found themselves with fewer alternatives than to join the forces with the bonus of getting to shoot someone - anyone.

Such people shipped off thousands of miles away to places like Iraq and earier on Suez were not defending this country in any way shape or form and are not "heroes".

You want to see a military hero?

Try here

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/09/spanish-civil-war-veterans

These men did not fight for some jingoistic notion of Country but for others, knowing what they risked and whist most of those back home were wringing their hands.

And if you think that makes me a disgrace, your codemnation just tells me how right I am.

[anotheoldgit]

sp1814

Royal Air Force.

[jake-the-peg]

Funny My father did his national service in the RAF.

Seems to have spent most of his time giving officers golf lessons from all accounts.

Did you volunteer AOG? or were you just dragged in too?

[Sqad]

Whos is better off, a soldier badly mutilated e.g lost both legs ans one arm. or a dead soldier?

[Quinlad]

Forgive me for my cynicism, but I wonder if you'd be so supportive of servicemen if you hadn't been one yourself and/or have family who currently are?

The reason I say that - and this is just an observation - is that you seem to be supportive only of groups into which you yourself directly fit. In contrast, you seem to actively resent any benefit, goodwill, favour or priority aimed at just about any other group.

These include:

Women
Gays
Young people
Immigrants
Non-whites
Muslims
Gypsies
Students

It's either coincidence or that you're toweringly self-absorbed.

[andy-hughes]

I have nothing but compassion for any solider maimed in combat, or the families of soldiers lost in combat but -

I think it is an over-simplification to suggest that people sign up to the forces when the country is at war on two fronts are looking for an exciting life - as your post appears tio imply AOG.

I think it takes a certain mind-set to be a soldier, and to embrace the lifestyle and comradeship which undoubtedly exist - it is not for everyone, and I for one do not envy them in the slightest. I think dedication takes a variety of forms, as does comradeship, and neither are exclusively the exclusive property of people who may be dead any day, and live alongside people in a similar situation.

I respect soldiers, but equally I respect any individual who makes their way in the world doing the best they can, and not hurting anyone else in the process.

I think the wars we as a nation are involved inwere wrong when they started, and continue to be wrong with the additional cost in lives and suffering. Supporting troops with admiration is admireable, but I would rather encourage politicians to negotiate a solution.

As the saying goes - "War beings with politics ... and to politics it must return."

[andy-hughes]

Sorry, that should read - "War begins with politics ... and to politics it must return."

[Sqad]

"War begins with politics" ..........OR Religion."

[Lonnie]

Quinlad, to a certain extent, your right, once you've been a member of the Armed Forces, you become a member of a very much larger family, however, even though most of us don't believe our forces should be in Afghanistan', they are there because of our Politicians (see andy-hughes reply), also, these lads and lasses have actually joined up to fight and die for us, and every other Briton, and because of this, we should repect what they are doing, and even though we can't help the dead, we, (all of us), should help in whatever way we can the wounded.

[anotheoldgit]

These men did not fight for some jingoistic notion of Country but for others

These men of the British International Brigade, were 80% Communist, with the other 20% made up from members of the IRA and soldiers of fortune.

And if you think that makes me a disgrace, your codemnation just tells me how right I am.

With notions such as yours, you are a disgrace, and if you think that just because a person thinks you are a disgrace, somehow makes you are right, you are not only a fool but also a person who is conceited beyond belief.

[jake-the-peg]

Most squaddies I've ever met thought getting to play with guns and fight seemed like a great idea!

I notice though AOG you've avoided telling us whether you volunteered for the RAF or whether you were just forced in for National Service with all the others.

Is this all about a thwarted fantasy of military glory perchance?

I am only wortried when someone who's views I respect thinks poorly of me.

I've read so many of your posts now and find no original thought in any of them. They are all xenophobic, reactionary jingoistic nonsense.

The fact that I have no respect for you does not make me conceited - I would suggest that the conceit is on your behalf that you seem to think I should take your opinions seriously.

I'm certainly not enough of a fool to think that you would respect mine. I air them just to remind you that not everybody agrees with you.