Grenadier wrote:

I'll wear a red poppy, always have, always will. It is the icon the stands for Remembrance. However, and I have been reminded of this just this week with documentaries on the Great War and the recent war in Syria, I am forever saddened by the futility of war and the waste of life, egineered more often than not by men whom have never served, nor will ever serve, their country in battle. They launch our countries into conflicts with impunity and without a second's thought for the devastation it will wreak on so many soldiers and their families. I served and did so with pride. I also immensely enjoyed my service, including all overseas postings and operations. Indeed so much so that I would still recommend service to any son or daughter of any friend of mine, thinking about joining. But the irony is that I nevertheless hate the realities of war, the devastation it leaves behind, the friends I have lost, the damage to their families, the friends who's lives have been irreversably effected, the civilian collateral, the regions devastated, and all to satisfy the ego of a Western Politician or a regional dictator. Whilst we may have to go to war to defend ourselves and our democracies (and for that we still need standing armies), as was the case in WWI and WWII, recent conflicts have, in my opinion, been a total and utter waste of life. Iraq and Afghanistan need never have happened and I remain sad to this day for them. We have turned from defenders to protagonists and not only reaped a whirlwind in a region that has yet to recover, and likely won't in our lifetime, but far from improving our secrity we have actually made the situation worse. We are bigger targets than we ever were. With all this in mind, whilst I will not ever wear a white poppy, the utter futility of modern warfare, lessons from which we refuse to learn, certainly make me identify with the sentiments of your 'old boy with the medals' and I would consider myself to be largely 'peaceful', if not an out and out pacifist.

Here here grenadier.

“Waste” is exactly that, a person that died could have been an artist, writer, scientist in another life. All that money sp not in ordinance could be better spent in peace, but in war every penny is a godsend, even ratpack boiled sweets.

If one of my mates children would ask for advise on joining the forces I’d tell them for what it is, the good times are the best, the bad times are the worst. And general barracks duty is miserable, but even then you look back with fondness. I think I’d also tell them it makes you see the world for what it really is, and in some eyes you’re numb, and in others in appropriate.

Then again when I have kids I’m not sure, I would be proud of them regardless of what they do in life, but I would respect them more for signing up but I wouldn’t encourage it... know a fair few people who got seriously worse, know a couple of people who have pretty miserable lives. I'm on IG: https://www.instagram.com/osloblue42/
Current: TD5 '110 "Lucinda" Thread here: https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic62562.html

leeds wrote:

Have just watched 100 days to Victory. Now just hearing the numbers of soldiers involved, number of casualties is a bit mind blowing.

Hearing some of the diary entries from the ordinary squaddies is extremely moving.

They will be remembered.



Brendan