Makes you think twice.

[SteveR3]

Had this in email format the other day and think the message is far too powerful to just send onto a few more - I'm sure you all agree that it deserves a far wider audience to do it justice...


Your cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.

You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.

You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.

You complain about how hot it is
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.

You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order
wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.

Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.

You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.

You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.

You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.

You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.

You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll
ever meet.

You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and
remembers why he is fighting.

You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.

You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.

You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.

You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.

You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.


REMEMBER our Troops, and do not forget them LATER
Lest we forget

[leatherpatches]

Bit sentimental...?

[DynaMight]

And finally.... stop whining, you are the one that wanted to play soldier. I dont want to get shot hence I didnt join the army.

[jason]

Bit sentimental...?

painfully so.

[speedy(delboy)]

And finally.... stop whining, you are the one that wanted to play soldier. I dont want to get shot hence I didnt join the army.

And we think your insensitive.

Am here with someone else from SWB who is also an ex serviceman who agree's your a rather large C U N T.

My best mate and neighbour is in Afgan right now and has already lost 3 budies.

[DynaMight]

I personally have no idea why anyone would ever choose to become a soldier or whatever. Why would anyone ever want to fight someone elses battles?

But if I was stupid enough to sign up I wouldn't expect some kind of respect for doing my job, everyone who joins must know there's a fair chance of getting killed/shot/injured so if you don't want to get killed don't join.

Atleast they dont ram the whole 'respect people in the forces' down your throat as much as the yanks. I dont see where the honour is tbh.

I think the people who demand respect are the ones in WW1/2 who were drafted in.

[speedy(delboy)]

I personally have no idea why anyone would ever choose to become a soldier or whatever. Why would anyone ever want to fight someone elses battles?

Tell that to the guys who stopped you from speaking German and not English

People from the services never ask for or demand respect. This whole thing was just to show that people do lay their lives on the line and is sometimes its just pause for thought.. Myself being ex forces (15 years), would also be the 1st to agree that some of the wars were are put in, we shouldnt be. Afgan for one.

(member) you were right this morning, no respect from youngsters of today

[sadbiker]

I personally have no idea why anyone would ever choose to become a soldier or whatever. Why would anyone ever want to fight someone elses battles?

But if I was stupid enough to sign up I wouldn't expect some kind of respect for doing my job, everyone who joins must know there's a fair chance of getting killed/shot/injured so if you don't want to get killed don't join.

Atleast they dont ram the whole 'respect people in the forces' down your throat as much as the yanks. I dont see where the honour is tbh.

I think the people who demand respect are the ones in WW1/2 who were drafted in.

For whatever reason people join the forces, whether its a way to get a trade, to start a new life or simply to do something they enjoy, or have the gumption to actually feel PROUD of some of the good work they do around the world.

Its a shame people like you have the small mindedness to INSULT OUR GUYS AND WOMEN WHO LAY THEIR LIFES DOWN whilst doing their duty.

I don't fully agree with some of the work and places they are sent to, but these pictures and the wording are very thought provoking, Its just a shame that out political masters are only interest in the oil etc and not more on sorting out the innocent human cost. Its even more a shame that they are actually protecting the interests of people like you who don't have a clue what a dangerous world we really live in.

Yes if it wasn't for out Parents and Grandfather etc, we would'nt have the freedom to ride motorbikes like we do, this is a very uncertain world and with out the people in uniform things would be a lot nastier. We complain and winge about things in Britian and the state of it, well have another look at those pictures and think if that was your country.

[SteveR3]

Apologies guy's if it's cause some bad feelings

Like the words suggest - I see an underlying message that makes me think of so-called bad days at work, idiots on the roads etc and seeing this... it just makes me think twice.

[speedy(delboy)]

And its in Off Topic Banter so ya didnt have to read it.

[arron24]

I personally have no idea why anyone would ever choose to become a soldier or whatever. Why would anyone ever want to fight someone elses battles?

But if I was stupid enough to sign up I wouldn't expect some kind of respect for doing my job, everyone who joins must know there's a fair chance of getting killed/shot/injured so if you don't want to get killed don't join.

Atleast they dont ram the whole 'respect people in the forces' down your throat as much as the yanks. I dont see where the honour is tbh.

I think the people who demand respect are the ones in WW1/2 who were drafted in.

well im in the services but ive no intention of being shot......i hide 300m under the sea and fire nukes at the world

just remember alot of lads that join the army do so for many number of unfortunate reasons i.e lack of education ( which may or may not be their own doin) which prevents them from getting a decent job on civvie street. ive not met a fellow service man yet that thinks he should get respect but dont you think they deserve a litttle thought? we have young lads out there with familys and children they might not of seen cept in photos bein blown up.

im not personally bothered what people think of what i do but i do think people that behave in the manner that your doin are shallow minded and thoughtless....

thats the longest ive been serious for in 26 years

[nomad]

Everyone is entitled to their own oppinion - after all we do live in a free country! It does saden me however that some people abuse this privilage... Mine is that people join the armed services because they give a shit and are prepared to do somthing about their belief.

It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organiser, who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag and who's coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag

Steve thank you posting that m8 although I have read it many times in many different guises it doesn't hurt to be reminded. I think the SouthWest of England is steeped in Military History and has many military bases within it's boundry's...

in memory of all those friends I have known http://www.thedashmovie.com/

[leatherpatches]

I actually agree with the message of what is being said, it's the method of delivery that leaves me feeling a little... queezy.

I personally don't think photo montages with crying soldiers and dead children, interspersed by patronising comments which assume we have no sympathy with the armed forces, does the cause much good at all. Maybe in America but probably less effective in the UK.

My family is fairly well steeped in the armed forces and I wish every single one a safe return home, especially from Afghanistan which has become a particularly dangerous place to be and doesn't show any signs of improving for the British services.

[nomad]

Yes it is very Mericanised not what you would call "The Britiish Way" which is not to say anything but battle on regardless.

I think we all agree War is not the answer and rarely ever solved anything other than to give the political machine fuel to canvas and rally the people (either for or against). It is however sadly true that we as a nation are once more embroiled in War (something which incidently we are rather good at) so it doesn't hurt to bring the hurt and suffering out into the open so we can steer our polititions into doing something about bringing the forces home safely. Not by withdrawl at any cost but with a soulution for self governing in these countries anything less would have been a waste of those good lives which have been given up in this cause (right or wrong).

Most of the service people I know and have known (and there are many) consider the operational service as part of their Job and carry out their part with extreem professionalism often in the hardest part of both Iraq and the Stan. They do not demand respect infact they only seek respect from amongst their own ranks, they believe that what they are doing is justified, and that they are doing it for their families and their families continued safety and right to freedoms. They too think this kind of email is a little over the top however they also think that it would be nice for a change if someone would do one from a British perspective and give them the credit for a job well done.

The British people are mostly behind their soldiers (sailors, Airmen/women etc) (not just behind in the UK ;) ) so are comfortable to just get on with the job at hand and do it right.

It would be interesting, sice we have started this thread, to know how many service types are on this forum, I am sure these days security of putting your hand up is not a problem and now actively encouraged by the Government who would like to see our service people back in uniform traveling to and from their place of duty. So who's serving and who is former service ?

[arron24]

jay and myself both serve on subs not sure if their is any others that are still active


the only problem with travelling to work in uniform ( apart from being the biggest fashion no no EVER ) is the pure hate you get from alot of civvie lads especially around base port areas....a friend of mine had his face caved in (literally) with a scaffold bar and spent three weeks in hospital purely because he was wearing the good blue uniform

and before people assume he was a gob shite...he was the sort of lad that kept himself to himself!