Another 4 down in Helmand......
Every loss is tragic.
Every death is one more death than we can 'afford'.
But these brave chaps (and chapess) are all volunteers, who joined up to serve, and were extraordinary enough to accept the risks that go with that service.
And in Afghanistan, surely, their sacrifice was made in support of a war that we can all approve of (even those who disagreed with the 2003 invasion of Iraq)? They have died in pursuit of a 'noble cause' that we can all be proud of.
And though every loss of a British serviceman makes me personally wonder "is it worth it?" surely the answer is that regrettably, painfully, these sacrifices are worthwhile, and are still at an 'acceptable' rate (horrible term, I know, and never acceptable to friends and families).
We lost 255 in the Falklands, and 763 (excluding UDR/RIR and RUC) in Northern Ireland - 103 in 1972 alone!
Weighed up against that, we've lost 176 in Iraq since 2003, and 106 in Afghanistan since 2001.
Every single one is a tragedy. Every one represents the loss of one of the outstanding members of their generation. We all (I'm sure) regret and mourn every one of them. I know that I do.
But yes, we can keep it up, I think.
Every death is one more death than we can 'afford'.
But these brave chaps (and chapess) are all volunteers, who joined up to serve, and were extraordinary enough to accept the risks that go with that service.
And in Afghanistan, surely, their sacrifice was made in support of a war that we can all approve of (even those who disagreed with the 2003 invasion of Iraq)? They have died in pursuit of a 'noble cause' that we can all be proud of.
And though every loss of a British serviceman makes me personally wonder "is it worth it?" surely the answer is that regrettably, painfully, these sacrifices are worthwhile, and are still at an 'acceptable' rate (horrible term, I know, and never acceptable to friends and families).
We lost 255 in the Falklands, and 763 (excluding UDR/RIR and RUC) in Northern Ireland - 103 in 1972 alone!
Weighed up against that, we've lost 176 in Iraq since 2003, and 106 in Afghanistan since 2001.
Every single one is a tragedy. Every one represents the loss of one of the outstanding members of their generation. We all (I'm sure) regret and mourn every one of them. I know that I do.
But yes, we can keep it up, I think.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: england
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Another Sarah, how ironic. I'm sat here looking at some photos of people who did their job, extremely well. But the thought that immediately springs to mind is the continued MOD "policy" of not sending female troops to the front line. Those of us who have spent the last 7 years or so in the desert know that the policy doesn't reflect reality. Every single person who gets of the Tristar/C17/C130 in either Afghanistan or Iraq is on the front line and they all deserve recognition. Without exception our armed forces have some of the brightest, most motivated, professional and loyal young people that our country can offer. I salute you all.
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I am working from the same place as Sarah and she would come and have a brew with us quite frequently. In fact, she was going to pretend our 'det dog' was hers and Sky decided to do a ditty on getting the dog back to UK, using one of the many dog charities. She was due to do the interview the day after this awful IED attack. Also, knew a couple of the lads. I can tell you life is difficult and sombre at Lash however, everyone is cracking on as professionally as always.
RIP.
h
RIP.
h
