A tale of two headlines, and other stuff

I will start this post with a few select quotations from the Secretary of State for Defence, Dr Liam Fox MP

Whilst in Afghanistan recently

“I will give you my promise that we will do everything we can to ensure that, whatever you are asked to do, you are properly, fully equipped to do so, to maximise your chance of success and minimise the risk to you.”

His welcome speech on the first day of his new job

“Resources will be tight for the country as a whole and Defence is no exception. We must make sure that we make every penny spent on Defence count. This means we will have to look again at all that we currently do, including the organisation and structure of the Department, each of the Services and the support area to ensure that we can undertake confidently and effectively the key tasks for which MOD is responsible.”

Before getting his new office

“Now we have 99,000 in the army and 85,000 civilians in the MoD. Some things will have to change and believe me they will.”

In a speech in June this year

“We intend to create a more efficient and leaner centre where everyone knows what they are responsible for and who they are accountable to – with the deadlines and budgetary disciplines taken for granted elsewhere”

So one might think the entire MoD was on a war footing, focussing 110% of their energy on the business of achieving some kind of desirable outcome in Afghanistan, the Indian Ocean or any of the other operations we are involved in?

Read more…

Spare a Sheckel…

One of the welfare groups I am involved with is called Holidays4Heroes.

Another blogger and long time supporter of the cause is Mental Crumble, click the link and have a read of what’s happening.

Dig deep.

A Thoughtful Gurkha Article

One of my favourite blogs has just posted a very thoughtful post on the emotive subject of Gurkha welfare and the future of the Brigade.

Pop over and have a read.

http://www.mentalcrumble.com/blog/2010/3/30/farewell-gurkha.html

Improvements in Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

Good news™

The Secretary of State for Defence (Bob Ainsworth MP) has announced an increase in compensation available to injured service personnel through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme.

The findings of the review panel chaired by Admiral Lord Boyce, a former Chief of the Defence Staff, have been accepted in full.

Summary of changes;

Read more…

SSAFA Celebrates 125 Years

For 125 years, SSAFA Forces Help has made an unfailing commitment to the men and women ofBritain´s Armed Forces, continually adapting to meet the changing needs of those who serve, those who used to serve and the families of both.

The support of SSAFA Forces Help is as significant now as it ever has been. From their very first day of military service, we are here for our servicemen and women and the people they love. Because we believe that their bravery, dedication and commitment deserve a lifetime of support.

To celebrate their 125 years of service SSAFA have created a dedicated website.

http://www.ssafa125.org.uk/

Solid Tory Policy

We have been waiting for something solid to come from the Conservatives in the defence realm. So far they have delivered a half baked ill thought through collection of announcements mostly about ‘slashing civil servant numbers’

With General Sir Richard Dannatt on the team it is hoped that a number of solid policies would start trickling out.

Oh dear, how naive we have all been.

Plumbing new depths is the announcement that the Conservatives would award a university scholarship to all children of service personnel killed whilst on active duty.

Hold on you say, what is so bad about that?

Read more…

As if an excuse to have a beer was ever needed!

A new premium bottled lager is to be launched in February 2010 to help raise more than £1million a year for forces charities – and to help provide long-term care for our Nation’s Heroes.

Beer Brands is a not for profit organisatrion and is appealing to Service men and women and their families to support this new brand which in turn will support their Comrades, and servicemen from other campaigns that need help.

As is anyone ever needed an excuse to have a beer, but just in case.

Follow progress at the web site here

Supporting Our Boys

I will start this post with a simple statement…

We are becoming a nation of over sentimental hypocrites

The publics support for our armed forces has never been higher; Help 4 Heroes, Wootton Bassett and even the ‘Milies’ show that both ordinary people and the media all ‘support our boys’

Every time a member of the armed forces is refused entry to a nightclub the tabloids and blogosphere come alive with outrage.

But is this driven by genuine concern and interest or a mawkish, over sentimental and frankly hypocritical position that allows people to avoid asking themselves awkward questions.

We may think of ourselves as a martial race with a proud military history but how many today can say they have served, volunteered to do something to help service personnel or their families or pressured their MP to argue for more and better spending on defence.

The recent issue of the drunken student who urinated on a war memorial got me thinking, this young man who was obviously full of remorse and regret committed an unacceptable act whilst totally drunk. If you ask a typical squaddie what they have got up to whilst drunk, in Germany, Bosnia, Cyprus or Belize they will tell tales that will make your eyes water. Yet we excuse them or choose to ignore their equally despicable acts, its easy to be outraged at an uncomplicated event.

Read more…

Writing Letters

Gordon Brown is partially sighted and makes some mistakes in his hand written letter of condolence to the family of Guardsman Jamie Janes, killed on active service.

Yes this is a bad mistake to make from the perspective of the parents but in our rush to jump on the the ‘lets kick Gordon’ bandwagon we should pause. Gordon Brown took the time to hand write the letter and when the mistake was discovered, called the family to apologise.

Did the Sun really need to be involved, is this a sign of disrespect, no. Gordon Brown is responsible for a lot and needs to be held accountable but this is a mistake from a partially sighted man with a lot on his plate.

The latest revelations reveal a recording of the telephone conversation, this is even more shameful of the Sun to exploit a grieving mother to further their agenda.

At the Going Down of the Sun

Poppy Nazis

Maybe a controversial post but this time of year brings the usual crop of poppy outrage stories.

Whether it’s seeing people being castigated for not wearing one 24×7 or the mixing of politics with the Poppy Appeal or even the moral outrage of seeing a young lad in a drunken haze urinating on a a wreath laid on a Cenotaph.

A quick opinion…

The Poppy is a symbol of remembrance and it is a person’s own decision to wear one or not. If they choose to great, if they decide not to, so what. I am a great supporter of the RBL and other Service non profits but that is my choice and I don’t think bad of anyone who doesn’t get involved or prefers to give to a poverty or cancer charity.

We should all encourage people to wear one but each to their own.

On the young lad getting bladdered and let be honest, pissing on a memorial. OK, he has done wrong and deserves to be punished but a prison stretch, come on. How many young toms have stood in a bar in Germany and put their finger on their top lip and put their arms up, more than people would like to admit. We all do stupid things when drunk and this is a young man who deserves the benefit of the doubt. A suitable punishment should be constructive like working for a service charity, perhaps collecting for the RBL for the next five years but prison is going to do no one any good.

The defacement of the RBL posters is for me, a mixing of the act of remembrance and politics and should not have happened.

Finally, if a person wants to wear a poppy at work no amount of worrying about other charities or upsetting people should matter. This is a once a year event and is a special case and in fact I would like to see this enshrined in law.

Warning Order – Armistice Day

Just a quick reminder, its coming up to Armistice Day, we might enjoy debating whether CVF is a value for money or what helicopter would be best but we shouldn’t forget that when all said an done, its about people.

Have a look at the Royal British Legion web site here

Pop over there and see the many ways you can help. The pop group Athlete have dedicated this video to this years appeal, all profits go to the RBL.

Stand Down Gentlemen

The last couple of weeks have been a tough time for the UK armed forces in Afghanistan without a doubt but the same time also saw the death of Henry Allingham and Harry Patch, two of the very few remaining survivors of World War I.

Both served in an era that is remote to most people and their suffering is hard to understand but in reading more one can only stand back in raw admiration.

Henry Allingham was the last surviving founder member of the RAF, the last man to have witnessed the Battle of Jutland and the last surviving member of the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS)

Harry Patch, the Last Fighting Tommy, was the last surviving veteran of the trenches.

Much has been written about these two fine individuals and there is very little we could add that would add any value so we will just say;

Stand Down Gentlemen.

Ayo Gorkhali

Whilst there is a price for questions in the house, bath plugs and second homes there can be no price on honour and loyalty.

Despite the prinicpal government argument being one of pounds and pence the Loyal Opposition and members of the Labour party that realise the governments position was simply dishonourable and shaming to a nation bult on the principals of natural justice and not turning its back on loyal servants.

Although one can be cynical about the motives of some, we should all bask in the glow of a small victory for doing the right thing.

The battle continues for Gurkha Justice and we shall report on the response to the rare and significant defeat of the government.

The Gurkha Memorial

The Gurkha Memorial, Image Source: www.roll-of-honour.org

THE GURKHA SOLDIER

Bravest of the brave,
most generous of the generous,
never had country
more faithful friends
than you.

Professor Sir Ralph Turner MC