Even if you think war is the last resort and you don't agree with it or condone it, please spare a thought for our guys and girls out there doing their jobs.
They don't get to choose which war they fight in. They are told.
They don't get to choose which orders they follow. They are told.
They don't get to choose when to come home to their families. They are told.
They don't get to choose what clothes to wear to work. They are told.
They don't get to choose who has their back in a war zone. They are told.
They are told what to do every day so that we have the freedom not to be told what to do every day.
No matter what our life throws at us, we can deal with it, safe in the knowledge that someone has our back. We don't get to choose who that is.
We will probably never meet them.
We will probably never know that a mother is getting a phone call right now to say her son or daughter won't be coming home, ever again.
We will probably never know that a husband or wife has just been told that their other half won't be coming home to kiss them goodnight or tuck in the kids, ever again.
Regardless of your personal feelings on war and the military, take a few moments tomorrow to spare a thought for those who put their lives on the line for a starting salary that is less than that of a checkout operator in Tesco.
I wonder how many of you would have the balls to stare a young soldier, airman/woman, naval seaman/wren in the face and tell them that what they are doing is a waste of time. That their life on the firing line is just a waste of time.
Our troops don't get asked which war they would like to fight in and which citizens of our country they would prefer to protect.
They just get on with the job in hand.
Here are 2 examples of fine men who have served their country:
Petty Officer Alan RawRoyal Navy 1966 - 1989
Died in 1993 due to cancer caused by his service to our country
East Surrey Regiment 1939 - 1945
Died in 1968 of cancer (after kicking Hitler's arse)
The medals speak for themselves.
RIP Dad and Grandad - hope you are both kicking arses wherever you are xx
