My sister's two sons are career Army. When things went to hell in Afghanistan, I knew those two would find a way to dive right into it. The oldest one was sent to the Kyber Pass (hope I spelled that right) to help search for bin Laden. When things went south in Iraq, they both dove in. The younger one in in the MP's and he spent a year flying the brass in and out of Bagdad, ie, a big shiny target in the air. Then, the older one was sent. Don't remember for how long. Now, he's back in Afghanistan, but this time doing adminstration work. He's supposed to do a year. We figured low risk, until recently when they had the earthquake in Pakistan and some of our guys were sent to help out. Don't know if my nephew went or not. And now, there are major protests in Afghanistan over those damned drawings! As if we didn't already have enought worry about.
We didn't know until last fall that my husband's cousin has a son over there. Found out the hard way. His mother was killed in a car crash on her way to a welcome home party for his unit on one of their stateside trips.
As if having family over there isn't worry enough, withing a few days after the fighting started, I heard that more than forty former students from our high school here were in the military, most stationed at Fort Hood, which was one of the first units sent into the breech. One of them, a very special kid to me, was told he would be sent to work as a quartermaster clerk in Turkey. But he somehow was near Tikrit when Hussein was found in his rat hole. But, thank you, God, he made it home. But when I saw him the other day, he said he was worried about the guys in his unit.
Since the fighting startred, more of our kids have joined up and have been sent over. Some of them the children of friends and co-workers. Some of them have families. Both my nephews are married and have children. The one in Afghanistan has a wife and a daughter, and when he gets home, he will finally be eligible for OCS, after ten years in the Army. And his younger brother whill be eligible about the same time, so it may be they'll go together.
I know many of you are opposed to the war. But I don't think we should hold it against these kids who are over there doing the fighting. Some of them opposed the war, too. But when the time came, they stepped up and honored the pledge they made when they joined the military. They are doing the job they promised they would do, and I think that qualifies them for the hero category.

Hi Kat, great idea to start the support thread, my brother (hes 19) is going to Iraq in May so hes not there yet.
He doesnt seem worried at all but he has been slightly naggy lately so I think hes worried but wont say so.
He didnt know till recently if he would be going to Iraq or Afghanistan and I asked him where he would prefer to go if he had a choice and he said he would rather go to Afghanistan because there is not much going on there! To me either would be as bad especcially now as you say after the cartoon fiasco.
I dont really like to read whats happening in the middle east although I feel like I have to know what he is going into, in a way Id rather not know it scares me so much but thats the job he chose to do so we should have known the day would come when he has go to war so to speak.
Chris chose to sign up for 21 years instead of 5 years so hes dedicated to the army, hes in the REME so he probably wont be on the front line but that doesnt mean he will be safer.
Thats so sad about your husbands cousins mum, the poor lad.
Im undecided on the war thing, I know something had to be done but Im not sure if it was the right thing to do. I agree the troops should be seen as heroes, every single one of them.

Yes, good thread Kat.I can see why this subject is so close to your heart.As you already know, I was opposed to the political decison to go to war - however I've always remained 100% loyal and supportive of the troops out there.
I know a fair number of blokes who've either served or are serving in the Gulf.For all the ups and downs of army life -there must be something about it, - as quite a few of my old schoolfriends are still in it - and I left school 17 years ago! A couple that we are good friends with did a very American thing -they tied a yellow ribbon around the tree in their front garden when their son was in Iraq during the early days of the conflict.
I sometimes feel ashamed of this country when I compare how American society as a whole has acted in regards to supporting troops in the Gulf. -Maybe I'm seeing too many slanted news reports - but it appears that you can't go anywhere in the States without seeing flags flying and people wearing supportive badges and ribbons.
Even today, a filthy sleazy British tabloid (I won't even mention it's name) has run a story about British troops supposedly abusing Iraqis. Without any official proof that the incidents took place, this rag put the story on it's front page. If they did have any hard evidence that abuses took place -then why didn't they pass the story on to M.O.D officials first- especially given the current climate? - ££££££££ of course!
Anyway back to it - British society in general (including the press) could do alot more to show it's support for it's troops.Over here,It seems the only time you'll see a flag flying from someones house, is when there's a bloody football game on.

Odd you should mention how you hear so much about people in the states protesting the war. And yet, everywhere, you see symbols of our country and support for our troops. There's an old saying. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. The people who are protesting are the ones who are getting the attention. But I suspect that if you could actually poll all Americans, the numbers would come out in favor of support for our guys protecting us from another tragedy like 911.
Did you hear about Cindi Sheehan? She is the mother of a young man killed in Iraq. She went to the street in front of the White House and demaned to see the President, personally. When she was refused, she followed him to Crawford, Texas and camped out on the side of the road in front of the entrance to his ranch. She was STILL demanding to speak to the president, and insisted that he come out there and talk to her. The man was there on vacation! Even the pres needs some rest, probably needs it more than the rest of us, considering how stressful his job is.
Anyway, it quickly became apparent that Sheehan had some public relations pros helping her. They were scheduling press conferences, etc., and a large group of people came to support her.
BUT when a group of people who called themselves, "You Don't Speak For Us, Cindi Sheehan!" Took up residence on the other side of the road, they were barely mentioned. The media showed them on the air for about five second before they cut across to Sheehan's bunch. When Bush went back to DC, she finally left. But now, it is illegal to park or stop along that stretch of PUBLIC highway. Personally, I think her behavior is embarrassing, and disrespectful to her son's memory. :angry:

I heard on today's news that our goverment is thinking about introducing a "Veteran's Day" like they have in America.More government gimmickery if you ask me.
I find it a bit rich, considering the amount of ex servicemen/women who are living below the breadline.
Instead of trying to imitate the Americans, surely Blair/Brown and co would be better concerning themselves about the welfare of these people.
It's an outrage that in Britain, 1in 4 of all homeless people (and by that, I mean rough sleepers) are ex servicemen.
We already have our Rememberance Sunday and the British Legion raises money and provides practical and financial supprt for ex service/men women all year round.


It looks like the 'new Iraq prisoner abuse' story has become worldwide headlines.The 'evidence 'should have passed onto Military officials first - not splashed across the front page of one of the gutter press rags.
This happened a while back with the 'Daily Mirror' - and it turned out that the whole story was false!
- but by then the damage had been done, as the whole story and fake photographs had been broadcast all over the Arabic world.
This latest story has yet to be proven either true or false -so, any newpaper editor who is willing to endanger the lives of our troops or even civilians back home -just for the sake of selling a few thousand extra copies of their rags- In my eyes, deserves to be branded a traitor.

May I politely request that we confine our remarks on this thread to supportive comments about our concerns for servicemen and women, and thier families, and leave the politics strictly out of it? Especially considering that two threads about the war were getting out of hand and had to be removed. My intent in starting this thread was for the purpose of getting people started talking about their worries and fears, and sharing those concerns for the armed forces personel, and knowing that they were not alone in these difficult times.
As for our Veteran's Day, big deal. It would go completely unnoticed if the local schools didn't plan a program and invite all the local vets to attend. A special program is put on my students, and a special luncheon is held for the vets. And I can tell you that that small measure of respect and acknowledgement is more than most towns show for their vets on Veteran's Day.

I think you've missed my point Kat. You state that this thread is about "supportive comments about our concerns for servicemen and women and their families" - Anyone who has family or friends serving in the Gulf right now will today be sharing my concerns about the latest news article that I've refered to.

You also say this thread is intended to get people talking about their worries and fears and concern for armed forces personel -I have done just that - I have criticized a tabloid who's selfish actions may have made the work of our troops alot harder -Please tell me how that is not in keeeping with this thread?

It looks as if you mistakingly thought I was knocking America's Veteran's Day. If you read my post again, you'll see that I clearly am not. My point was, that we already have a Rememberance Day in Britain.Also, instead of Britain adopting an American style Veteran's Day I suggested that the time and money would be better spent helping and supporting British veterans and their spouses EVERY DAY of the year. - Again, this in keeping with the aim of this thread.

As I've already said, there are many ex service men who need our support - not just those currently serving. I've met TOO many ex soldiers who've found themselves on the scrapheap -some only in their early thirties!

Ok, I'll keep the politics out of this one from now on - but with the greatest respect to you Kat, there's obviously a great deal of things that you don't understand about life in Britain, regarding the armed services, the war, politics, poverty etc - no more than I understand what's going on at grass roots America, I suppose.
Anyway back to the thread.....

I didn't think you were slamming Veteran's Day, Squirrel. I was just telling you that it's not as much of a remembrance and an honor for our servicemen and women as it should be, so don't be too impressed by it.
And I have made it a point not to intentionally comment on politics in Britian because, as I've said, I don't live there and I don't understand what's going on. But if I have accidentally tread on toes, my apologies. I guess that it's best that the smart ass American, who joined this forum for the purpose of learning more about the country I plan to visit in order to avoid such misunderstandings, should just shut the hell up and stay out of things that I don't understand.
But I do understand what's going on in America, far better than I care to. And if the public knew half of what I know, their attitude toward this entire situation would take a completely different turn.
Bye, folks. It's been fun.

Hey Kat, you haven't trod on any anyones toes.Please don't get the impression that you've p**sed me off in any way - it's always a pleasure and an interest to read your posts.
As I've said, over here, we rarely get to know much about what's happening in America at 'street level' and what the 'everyday' American thinks. We only get to know the views of American politicians or 'celebs' via the media. I'd imgaine it's pretty much the same the other way round. I've learnt a few things that I never knew before.

The only trouble with online converstaions that are a little deeper than most, is that comments can often be misconstrued due the limited amount of emotion that be expressed in a typed message.
Believe me, if they were happening face to face, you'd see me smiling - well most of the time!
Once again, you haven't offened me in any way whatsoever and my sincerest apoligies, if I may of unintentionally offened you.
Please stick around mate.
Cheers
Karl

Just a quick update, My brother is off to Iraq on April 12th for 6 months. I spent last night sewing his REME flashes on his desert uniform and having a little cry too. Im sure he will be fine, its all a bit surreal at the moment. I will be buying a yellow ribbon for my front gate and hoping and praying every night that he comes home safe.

Nice to see you back Willow -I'm sure your brother will be just fine. Keep your pecker up mate :)

Thanks, I have been around just not posted much. Ill be away for a while, got pc probs. Hope more people start posting soon, this website is a gem.