Never Forget the Human Side of the News

[GB72]

Maybe not the ideal topic for the forum but felt that it is something I should metion.

I like many others had pretty much forgotten about the war in Afghanistan. After all it hardly makes the news now with so much other doom and gloom to report about. Out of site, out of mind as they say.

Anyway, I receive a text from my office manager on Sunday morning telling me to turn on the news. The paratrooper who was killed at the weekend was the wife of one of my accounts staff. He was due to be sent back next week to be there for the birth of his first child. It hits you in the head like a hammer. I have worked with her for years on and off but only met him a handful of times but the reality it puts on a whole war that before was happening to other people and did not affect me was huge.

Anyway, a reminder to me and a reminder to everyone, whether it is making the headlines or not there are still hundreds of our brave troops doing a job that we could not even imagine, taking risks and facing hardships that most of us will never know to protect our liberties.

 

[0]

Too right - we may think we have problems but imagine waking up every day wondering if this will be your last and you will never see your family again

needless to say http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

its been our charity for the last two years

 

[Golfmmad]

Yep, it certainly puts everything else into perspective!

Golfmmad.

 

[NWJocko]

Very true. My brother in law was in sangin for 6 months in 2010, the most stressful time for us but a pi$$ in the wind compared to what he went through. A medic so had to deal with some horrific stuff.

I'm thinking of doing a "longest day" golf challenge for help the heroes this year locally, anyone in lancs up for it let me know.....

 

[haplesshacker]

It's all to easy to miss the very real human tragedy that conflict brings. Regardless of whos 'side' you're on.

I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like for the deceaseds children, wife or parents. I can only imagine what it would be like for my family if I was out there.

Since having kids, stories like this actually upset me in an emotional way, not an angry way. I wouldn't want to be out there now I have a young family.

 

[pokerjoke]

I agree,but the good news is if its not on the news no-one getting killed.Theres enough doom and gloom on the news these days.The soldiers on the front line are the bravest men in the world and i take my hat off to them.

 

[GB72]

Very true. My brother in law was in sangin for 6 months in 2010, the most stressful time for us but a pi$$ in the wind compared to what he went through. A medic so had to deal with some horrific stuff.

I'm thinking of doing a "longest day" golf challenge for help the heroes this year locally, anyone in lancs up for it let me know.....

I would travel up for it if you want. Been thinking about something I can do since the weekend and a longest day for help for heroes would seem ideal

 

[NWJocko]

Very true. My brother in law was in sangin for 6 months in 2010, the most stressful time for us but a pi$$ in the wind compared to what he went through. A medic so had to deal with some horrific stuff.

I'm thinking of doing a "longest day" golf challenge for help the heroes this year locally, anyone in lancs up for it let me know.....

I would travel up for it if you want. Been thinking about something I can do since the weekend and a longest day for help for heroes would seem ideal

I may well take you up on that gb72. I'll speak to the club this weekend and see what i can get arranged. Will pm you or put a thread up after.

 

[splashtryagain]

Help the heroes idea is great - let me know when you find out the score, probably up for that.

 

[RobCowan]

It really hit home for me when the Nimrod went down at Kandahar. My brother had been flying out of Seeb in Oman on a tour shortly before and it hadn't registered to me that he was flying over Afghanistan. Only when the Nimrod went down did I realise that he had been making the very same flights just a couple of months before!

Unfortunately my brother knew at least one of the guys on the aircraft which cannot have been nice.

I was incredibly relieved when he got posted to the Simulator so wasn't doing active flights any more.

 

[NWJocko]

Help the heroes idea is great - let me know when you find out the score, probably up for that.

I've got to give them a bell this week. Will let you know, thinking of doing it for the "help our wounded". This is help the heroes for the royal marines an due to family ties somethibg i would like to support.

That said, each individual could choose to do it for that or help the heroes.