Pay it Back.........

[dave k]

I don't know about anyone else, but I find it difficult to express support for the armed services without supporting the war currently. I did e-mail the army asking if they had any `care package` schemes like they do in the USA, and I was given a rather abrupt reply that `the armed forces are taken care of and have everything that they need`..

I'll be sending out a package this christmas though, thanks to the address put in the top of the link. It is one way I can show my support.

 

[xylaria]

Thing that horrified me most about this story was, is that it batters my head the example some parents provide their children. When mine were little I worked in care with learning disabled, they used to come in a visit me at work, as knew the modern 'inclusive' schooling doesn't excluded the people I worked with. I could provide them a positive experience so I did. I can't understand the p*** poor parenting that demonstrates negative attitudes to anyone that doesn't fit the parents stupid narrow views of what is 'normal'
. The damage they did to the already traumatised minds of these soldiers is unforgivable.

My daughter get eczema on her face, and is coming to the age where girls starting thinking about what they look like. She had a girl recently telling her that her 'face was manky and she should wash more', so she told her calmly 'that is was eczema and it will go away, but bullies are always ugly as a person'.

I have known too many ex-army that have been traumatised to judge why they were doing there job. I have been in job where every time you shut your eyes to sleep you seen more violence, it ages you, it makes you drink or take drugs, it makes your temper quick, it is not pleasant. i don't agree with the war in Iraq, but they are still people doing that job that need our help support, and most of all they need a lack of a judgemental attitude when they come back damaged, in whatever way.

PS I will be giving straight to the charity not taking part in the auction. (I am not much of kit junky)

 

[Dougster]

Most of the people I know that have been to Iraq don't agree with it either, they just aren't allowed to say anything. They have to do their job regardless.

They sacrifice even more so we can give less.

Too many of the children I see have parents whose first reaction is to shout if they don't get what they want, the children do it, their children will do it. They aren't becoming the majority, but I think they are allowed to get away with these things more. Ignorance is the new bliss.

Why didn't one of the staff at the centre have a cahones to go and explain to these woment that they were injured soldiers? If the women still complained then chuck em out. If they then had said 'Sorry, and when you're finished there's a cup of tea paid for at the cafe'. This would all have been a different story.

 

[AndyW]

If they then had said 'Sorry, and when you're finished there's a cup of tea paid for at the cafe'. This would all have been a different story.

And wouldn't the world be a better place with this kind of attitude.

Andy

 

[Salix]

Red,

Absolutely disgusting.

My grandfather was a Dunkirk veteran, he was a sargeant major in the commando's, and although he is now sadly gone, i still owe him and all his colleagues my life and freedom. We should NEVER forget the sacrifice of our servicemen and women ( as my grandmother was also in the war and), and never mind free swimming, it should be free everything, it's a disgrace, and makes me sick to the core. I for one cry like a baby at rememberance day an im not ashamed to say it !

I will throw in a charcoal burning weekend.

Mark

 

[British Red]

Very good of you Mark - thank you - I'll let you post the thread up on that one as I'm sure you can explain uit better than me!

Red

 

[Cairodel]

Hey Red
I did not realize that you too had facial probs!
I have Bells Palsey - thanks to a martial arts sparring session where one blow bruised the nerve, which swole up and crushed itself to death in a tunnel of bone - and the muscle structure of left side of my face does not work any more.
I still spend a lot of time in Am Dram, working with people face to face and have occassionally had some wierd looks from adults. The most honest reactions come from young kids - "Hey Mister, wots wrong with your face?" and I prefer this to the odd look , look away, look again, walk away I have had from adults

I'm sure a few on here know a post-WW1 song - "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda"
If not, do a search..(limewire etc..etc..) This was banned for a while in the UK....

And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay,
And I looked at the place where my legs used to be,
I thanked Christ there was no-one there waiting for me,
To grieve, or to mourn, or to pity.
And the band played Waltzin Matilda, as they carried us down the gangway,
But nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared,
Then they turned all their faces away........

'Nuff said...

 

[daved]

Damn it. Just lost a very long reply I had typed (although that is possibly for the best...)

The summary is that although I agree that this is a worthy cause, I am concerned that the amount of publicity surrounding the appeal might divert attention away from other good causes. In particular, I wanted to highlight another organsiation focussing on ex-service people: Combat Stress (www.combatstress.org.uk). They focus on caring for the mental health of ex-service people and in particular, they offer specialist treatment for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you haven't heard of them before then I would recommend taking a look at their website.

The other interesting thing is that their entire annual budget is £5m - the same as the cost of the new pool for Headley Court.

Perhaps some of the goodwill could be sent their way too?

(of course there are many non-military good causes that need our support too but wanted to keep to the spirit of the thread)

 

[Mirius]

You've got an extra ) in that link you might want to edit out. I'll consider matching what I'm giving on the auctions to that one as well. I imagine that there are more such organisations than you can shake a stick out once you start looking.

 

[Timinwales]

Hi Daved
I have to agree Combat Stress, is very worthy cause, and PTSD is a very real problem and one which given the current situation will only get worse for a number of reasons.
There are a number of ways that funding to attend Combat Stress activities can be raised not least reffeal from the NHS or the criminal justice system. I am aware of cases where both the CJS and NHS have stumped up to pay for individuals to undergo treatment.
Sadly I am also aware of cases where individuals have refused to use combat stress because they employ ex military Officers Warrent Officers and SNCO's and these are the (groups of) people who those individuals feel are at fault and in someway could have ''made a difference at the time'' but did'nt.
I'm no psycologist (not even sure I can spell it) but I do know that most ex military folk will not talk to the nice young nurse or the 26 yr old doctor about the ''stuff'' that they have experienced or seen in this theatre or that one, the reasons I honestly believe vary greatly but all boil down to the fact that none service medics or anyone else for that matter just won't or can't understand. IMO this is correct. Additionally there is a tendancy for service or exservicemen and women to feel they are being judged (when usally they are their own harshist critics).
Apologies I wandered off course a bit, the real issue why are should it be left to charities to provide the facilities and support needed?. Surely the same folk who have run down HM Armed Forces, increased their operational commitments, cut their training budgets, bought ammunition which does not work (to save a few bob), failed to stump up for post mortems (so families cannot even bury their dead) and provided (if you are lucky)inadequate equipment, should accept responsibility for their actions???.
The govt must accept responsibility, and should be the ones forking out for both the swimming pool and combat stress, additionally they should be reopening military hospitals not trying to close down or make those few establishments still operational un cost effective.
Cheers Tim

 

[TallMikeM]

I'm sure a few on here know a post-WW1 song - "And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda"
If not, do a search..(limewire etc..etc..) This was banned for a while in the UK....

And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay,
And I looked at the place where my legs used to be,
I thanked Christ there was no-one there waiting for me,
To grieve, or to mourn, or to pity.
And the band played Waltzin Matilda, as they carried us down the gangway,
But nobody cheered, they just stood there and stared,
Then they turned all their faces away........

'Nuff said...

dunno about it being banned (certainly never heard that story) but it's a song by folkie Eric Bogle.

 

[Cairodel]

dunno about it being banned (certainly never heard that story) but it's a song by folkie Eric Bogle.

Yes, it WAS banned in the UK as an "anti-war" song.
Eric Bogle was a Scot who emigrated to Australia.
Do a search...

 

[John Fenna]

I love the June Tabour cover of this - haunting -and her voice!!!!!!

 

[TallMikeM]

Yes, it WAS banned in the UK as an "anti-war" song.
Eric Bogle was a Scot who emigrated to Australia.
Do a search...

erm I know who Eric Bogle is.

 

[Spikey DaPikey]

I love the June Tabour cover of this - haunting -and her voice!!!!!!

I second that ! More so when my Womble sings it

 

[snoop Ex member]

During the 90's when i was a D.J i worked Hedley court regularly for the staff &patients, as scorpion roadshow, Me & the wife used to always recieve a great welcome.They do know how to party hahaha.We made some friends there, even though with the pass of time we lost contact.
This has horrified me both in the way the women treated the soldiers in the pool & the way the government has behaved with the service folk, IMHO they should not be relying on charity donations, anyone who has served queen & country should get EVERYTHING FREE. why the need for petitions for remembrance or for Hedley to have a visitor home it makes me sick, this should be done without question or hindrance!! Red i applaude you ! DONATION made

 

[falling rain]

Nothing surprises me anymore. General good manners and thoughtfulness, politeness, courtesy for others has generally declined in our society. Unfortunately an awful lot of people are out for themselves nowadays, and stuff everyone else. 'I'm alright Jack' has never been more appropriate as to a lot of folks attitude nowadays.
After I left the Army (RCT) In 1986 I worked for a German company driving articulated tankers all over Europe. My German colleauges used to tell me what a pleasure it was to come over to this country to drive as everyone was so courteous and let you pull out and flashed their lights to indicate this, whereas in Germany they flashed their lights to say stay where you are I'm coming through!!...................At the time (1986 - 1989) that would have been generally speaking been true but I don't think it applies so much now. There are still courteous people out there, but with the speed that everyone wants things done at, and lack of patience I think peoples manners have declined and there is a lot more selfishness.........................Unless it's just me who's become a grumpy old man and I didn't notice it before.

BIG shame on those concerned in the incident at the pool. It dosn't matter whether the disabled chaps were ex-services or they were just disabled by other means. Are they so flipping selfish as to deny a disabled person a free swim for heavens sake? Although as locals I would imagine they knew exactly what was going on. Name and shame I say.

Our service personnel deserve much more than is accorded them at the moment. It's just as bad if not worse for the Ghurkas who get a pittance of a pension.............. Thanks for fighting for our country but now you've retired and are too old stuff you!!

 

[Cairodel]

dunno about it being banned (certainly never heard that story) but it's a song by folkie Eric Bogle.

It looks like you are right, TM...
I was told the story by an old Irish Catholic priest, who gave me the words
from an "Irish Folk Songbook". I've searched and searched since your
reply, and can find nothing on it.... Looks like I was "Urban Miffed..!!"
I gave him a piece of my mind last night while we sat in the British Clubhouse
together, "getting piffed"....

 

[Womble]

I second that ! More so when my Womble sings it

I should like to point out - at this stage...

 

[h2o]

i cant find words to describe how mad and upset i am by these evil people who should be named and shamed.whether they knew the men where soldiers or not is irrelevant .bring back flogging.