Isn't it tragic that those young men have died in Afghanistan? It really is. Can you imagine what it must have been like in WW2, when thousands and thousands of 17 and 18 year olds were killed or posted as missing? In some cases, even the government didn't know that people had been in action, let alone killed. And some people ask if Remembrance Sunday still carries any significance. It sure does! Even if just one service person is killed, that person should be remembered for the service given to this country. But WW2 was a time of strict press censorship, unlike today, where the media wants to barge in on bereaved families at the worst possible time, just get copy and make sales. How times change.
WW2 was about protecting our way of life in Britain. In Afghanistan we are trying to ovethrow centuries of conflict that has no bearing how we live our lives in Britain. This war does not make the world a better place. It only encourages more antagonists to rebel against western imperialism. They were far happier before we went there so we should leave them to it. I'm sure there are many injustices in this country we could turn our minds too.
It angers me that some people can't see what Rememberance Sunday stands for. I paid a recent visit to the National Arboretum in Alrewas. (That's Staffordshire.) It's an amazing tribute to so many men and women who lost their lives during conflict. Standing there reading through the names, made me realise how lucky I am.
I agree with everything you say, Clarion, but just to lighten the mood a little, I wondered if anyone else saw Henry Allingham on the news celebrating his 112th birthday with an honorary flypast of WW2 planes. It never ceases to thrill me seeing this amazing man. I wonder how many of his friends were lost in their teens? - there can't be any left now, obviously!