[QUOTE=Linda P;5541109] Hi Linda, I disagree. Based on the circumstances as presented, the individual in question (do not want to use man) is a COWARD.

My grandfather was gassed at Ypres, my uncle captured at Arnhem. My father served post WW2...and I continue to serve.

I choose to remember those that are deserving....not those who clearly are not. dead or alive.

Yours aye...Kevin

You're welcome, but I was embarrassed to discover later that Surrey Expat, who has provided so much great info in this thread, already had provided that link in an earlier post. However, it was in the middle of some other information, so it didn't stand out so much. If I inadvertently provided a service at all, it was perhaps to provide the link on its own.

Thoughts and prayers for your nephew, Gill.

Lets think too of those whose wounds arent physical. The memories, the nightmares, panic attacks. Civilians and troops of all sides in war suffer from PTSD. In WW1 it was called shellshock, some who suffered were shot because they were considered cowards. Its only recently been recognised by the British Govt as a real condition and treated as such.

Its 25 years since the Falklands campaign. My husband served in the Navy. Its 6o years since WW2, my MIL was a German girl escaping the Russians, she has awful awful memories.
Its 20 years since I x-rayed boy soldiers from the Iran/Iraq war and saw the injuries caused by chemical warfare.

So many awful things happen and continue to happen since "The war to end all wars" We must remember, and try to make a better world.

NO
Remberance day is a memorial day to all those who fought and lost their lives in the numerous conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Best wishes
Rosie

Well said. They serve their country without a question, they give up family and home lives, they risk their own lives because of politicians.

Well said and a 19yr old lad who joined the army as what else is out for them now adays
These lads are our kids, nephews, grandsons, even our daughters, granddaghters.

The link judy gave as well as others says it all 2 minutes of our time to remember the lads and lasses from yesterday's and tomorrows

Respect, sadly something that lacks in todays society

Gill

I was struck yesterday evening by a poem voiced over footage from Ypres and Pacschendale during and after the war. I had never heard it before:

This aerial view of Paschendale before and after makes me wonder how the survivors could ever return to anything approaching a normal life. Over a million dead and injured in one battle. A place on the map obliterated by bombardment

Like a few other posters here my grandfather saw action in Burma. He never ever spoke of the attrocities he saw. I just cant begin to imagine the sacrifices made on my behalf.

The following is a code poem written by Leo Marks for his Girlfriend SOE Agent Violet Szabo who played a massive part in the war effort as a covert agent captured by the Germans then killed by them...we also should remember the many women who worked as agents risked their lives and in some cases paid the ultimate sacrifice:

The life that I have is all that I have
And the life that I have is yours
The love that I have
Of the life that I have
Is yours and yours and yours.

A sleep I shall have a dream I shall have
Yet death will be but a pause
For the peace of my years in the long green grass
Is yours and yours and yours.


Leo Marks

Very pretty, but death isn't really a pause. It's the end.

Well thats your opinion...or have you been re-born or are you God.


If anyone can get the chance or if it is possible watch the panarama prob on BBC website taking on the taliban....quality journalisam.

Well, in the absence of any compelling evidence for the existence of an afterlife it seems the only sensible conclusion. This is the only life you get, make the most of it. No cause is important enough to die for.

I have served my country for 22 years, Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kuwait, Kosovo, Macedonia, Northern Ireland and lost many friends along the way my best friend last year in Algeria, Sorry but I do not need someone to tell me how important it is to make the most of your life...I know only too well how inportant and precious life is and how unimportant materialistic possetions are.


In nearly all cases I agree. WW1 total disaster WW2 would have been a disaster not step in and do something about the German advance on europe as that would never have ended and it was a fight for survival and in that case I disagree as who knows where we would all now be.


However to do nothing in the way or rememberance to all the service men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice would be disrespectful. There has been only 1 year since the end of WW2 that a British service man has not died.

We should NEVER forget the sacrifices the 5 million commonwealth soldiers made to defend Britain & other countries. One of those regiments The Canadian Newfoundland Regiment lost 95% casulties in the first day of the somme total tradgedy but those young men should never be forgotten.

In poppy day we do not celebrate war we pay our respects to those who paid the ultimate tragic sacrifice. When you have seen War and the death and destruction people would understand it is nothing to celebrate but I will never forget my friends.

Couldn't agree more Davie.

Most of the poor kids who end up being killed didn't ask to go in the first place.

The forgotton ones in todays conflicts are actualy the ones who are wounded and live.

23 last month alone were admitted to rehab units with loss of limbs, numerous others blided, lost ears, became deaf the list goes on.

And to think the residents around Hedly court which is the main rehab unit for forces personnel objected to them buying a house next door to it to use as a welfare house for familys of wounded servicemen could use to stay in whilst visiting them in Rehab...WHY because they thought it would lower the tone of their street and devalue their property...luckly enough a petition was raised on No10 website and the planning permission was granted to alter it.

Recent stats show servicemen in combat today have a 1 in 20 chance of being KIA.