General Chat

I think it is all wrong, they lost my Son, but thought the best news was that he was coming home, I asked why, was he dead, shot, ill or injured, guess what they told me, we do not know. He was a paramedic on the front lines with the dessert Rats, and I thought Gosh I have lost him, after three days they found him in Cypress, can anybody imagine what hell we went through for those three days, and the only number that was given for that hospital was the laundry, can you imagine my shock when my own Son answered that phone, and told me, ill or not he was expeced to do his washing and be presentable. Crap, he had sand on the lungs and a heart murmer, and since I lost my Stephen to S.A.D.S. they have refused to test Robert, probally spending all the finances on what>>pointless bloody war. A sad Mother indeed.

I think they do a wonderful job but am saddened that they are expected to carry out their tasks with inadeqate equipment. Also I think that by now all our troops in the East should be withdrawn and brought home - I think their task is done. Ann

Thanks Jennifer, Workin on my hubbi big style to quit TA when he is back, We cant go through this again, Hugs to you, Caz xxxxxxxx

God Bless our Boy's and bring them home to us-soon.

I, being a Mother of an Army Son, wish to goodness that our lads did not need to be there, they belong with us, I know when my Son was there, I was devastated, and could not understand why! thankfully Robert is home SAFE and SOUND, the amount of times I wrote those words, God Bless anybody who still has a loved one out there, I wish my Son would quit the Army, and stay home with his wife and four kids, and of course me His MOTHER.

Thanks Glenys, It messes up families and relationships believe me, Ta love, caz xxxxxxxxx

*clears throat to shout* GRAEME! You all shouldn't be out there! That's what I think! Did you hear that? *coughs; not used to shouting that loud* Hope you didn't mind me shouting over yer head, Carol! lol Seriously, I don't like the fact they're out there. Trying to avoid saying what I really think! x

Woody I'm sorry to hear about your rellie but not suprised, My OH had severe depression after last gulf war and there was NO help, Caz xxx

Didn't realise your OH was TA, Caz - he had no choice at all. My brother was in the Queen's Own in 1972 - night before they were due to leave he was knocked down by a vehicle driven by an officer from another regiment on Mod land. I needn't tell you that he got not one penny compensation despite nearly being killed! If it had been a civilian that hit him, well... Must go, good luck all.

Caz, I have read all the replies and I would like to echo what Sheila in Wilts and Teresa have said, they have put it so much better than I could. The troops have my full support, they do a marvellous job and don't get (and probably don't expect) any thanks. I really think that the powers that be should start to think seriously about bringing them home now. And I think it is disgraceful that you, personally, have had no back up support. Ann Glos

Thanks TW, Ang I agree my Oh has told me bits and from what I can gather most Iraqis are not grateful so our troops should not be dieing for that reason, Caz xxxx

Caz, without reading other replies, I'll say this, We support our boys out there 100% and wish them all well. However, this does not mean that we believe the reasons for them being there is right, nor that the government is right, nor that George Bush is right. We could go on for months debating that. But our lads are doing a great job under a lot of stress, and are under scrutiny from the whole world. We are behind them all the way.

i originally thought the 'west' had done the right thing trying to rid iraq of a evil dictator, the same with the taliban. I also thought that the ordainary folk of these countries would at last get the chance of a free life without fear & poverty. It seems now that we are unable to right all the worlds wrong. Their cultures are far different than ours & we can not expect them to accept our help in bringing them a better life. I do feel sorry for the few who want peace but for most they deserve each other. Bring our boys home & leave them to it!

Thanks Mike, Lou love to your friend, The army should be ashamed at the standard of communication on offer, Caz xxxxxx

My very good friend Ben was sent out there quite a while ago...No-one has heard from him, not even his family, although they say they didnt expect too..I worry about him every day, and, like many others feel it's time for our lot to come home.. LOU XXXXXXXXXX

THANK YOU Ronald for your post, I am a TA wife and this is my husbands second compulsary tour, the first in 2003, I have been left totally alone apart from one families day in Preston which is 60 miles from here, no phone calls, no stuff for kids and very little communicatiopn from my OH, Yes this government stinks, caz xxxxxxxxxx

Our troops doing their job as usual as per the Government's orders, badly equipped, badly supported by this Government and with a majority of the public not giving a 'monkeys' and even a lot of the public not even aware of where our troops are. Been there, done that - MANY years ago. Has Gordon Brown our erstwhile candidate for the PMs job ever visited our troops on active service in any location? I cannot recollect such a visit, I understand he's anti the forces anyway. Yes, I support our forces where ever they are but I despair of the politicians and even despise them for their lack of care and support. Blair visited Basra shortly after it was occupied and most of the troops were not allowed near him - only a select few for his speech. Perhaps he was worried someone would stick a rifle up his backside. My son in law was there as a TA squaddie. He never got issued the correct gear for the area and we had to send food parcels, bog paper etc. He even had to purchase his own sand goggles (he's a driver) from the NAAFI in Germany prior to his departure for the Gulf if NAAFI had them in stock why couldn't army provide/purchase them? Was talking to a fellow Sapper and his wife recently. He'd been out Iraq as a Territorial for the start of the war and during several months of service there his wife never received any support from the army. This government sucks!

I think they are doing a grand job - BUT should not be there - all of you come home to your loved ones safe and sound. God Bless you all. and the ones you have left behond too. Love Mary in Spain

Joe I found that when my OH was home he didnt want to see the news and immersed himself in me and the kids, They do have sky and can get papers but i think a lot gets distorted and they have their superiors telling them things that may disagree with the media, You are right about morale, it is so important they feel supported, communication is awful, where my OH is there are 8 phones between 2000 troops and the same no of computers, I've had 2 e mails in 6 weeks, caz xxx

I think that they are doing a very difficult and dangerous job extraordinarily well, in places (Iraq and Afghanistan) where it's very hard to see what they are fighting for, where there are no winners, and no easy end in sight. They have my utmost support and respect.