What price freedom - Sue Sussman, London, UK - you should be ashamed. If it were not for those for whom you dont give a toss you wouldnot be allowed to say it or have an opinion. Do you not realise that freedom of speech and many other freedoms (even not to give a toss) come at a price...

Maybe Sue Sussman should try living under a Taliban regime; maybe the attitude would change.

I am disgusted at the way our servicemen are equipped, paid and cared for. The demise of service hospitals, the obsolete and inadequate equipment and the poor pay and conditions.

Where is the national pride for our troops and the job they do? They did not choose to go, they are but doing their duty. They do not complain of the risks or the hardship, they do their duty. The rest of us have a duty to forget politics and support the troops - for doing their duty. If you do not like the politics then use the rights these people protect and vote in a new Government.

We owe them the best.

Mike Rimmer, San Diego, CA

I don't give a toss for soldiers in this country when doctors, nurses and teachers who are far more valuable to our society find it really difficult to find accommodation particularly in London. I am really fed up of hearing the gripes of soldiers. They volunteer to join the army and then complain that they get too little of this and that. Why do they join the army in the first place if not to go to war and surely injuries and death of all occupational hazards of war. If no one joined the army there wouldn't be these wars. If a World war was to come about there would be National conscription and no options, compensation and living conditions wouldn't enter the argument!

Sue Sussman, London, UK

Today one of our problem is apparently a lack of men willing to fight. Look to the first world wars - they were doing it for glory, honour, and to protect the weaker people. Look to today - most people will just get a dissaproving look for being in the 'murdourous profession'. All people think of when the army is mentioned is the soldiers putting themselves on the line, to just look out of place back home.
We do nothing for them. They no longer get sufficient houseing, healthcare or even respect. What happpened to the military hospitals that prioritised those that had put their lives ont he line to protect our country, and perhaps also others? Our country is failing in many things, but now all we can maintian is our ense of humour - the soured jokes of the service people as they discuss life beyond the battle field. It's not right.

Gloria Goldsmith, Bridgwater, English

I watched the programme on the new military monument last night.
A tear jerking programme.I could'nt help thinking about how young the troops were in all wars.
However there are wars that troops understand and others that are forced upon them for no good reason.
I doubt that they want razmataz parades when they come home,but I would expect them to get,without asking,decent accommodation and excellent health care.
I would also expect them to be given the correct gear to do the job demanded of them with no fudging and no half measures.

Disgusted Dorothy, Glasgow, Scotland

our troops have traditionally been paraded thro our cities and towns across the country ,when they have returned from abroad. we have ,probably, the best soldiers,sailors ,airmen and women in the world. they go and do a tough job, they do not have committee meetings about the political,social ,or religious motives that the people who send them off,may have. they just go and do it,

lets the rest of us at least have the decency to treat them with a bit of respect. lets see our returning troops paraded,and feted,and able to return to decent medical care and decent housing

j.wood, headley, hampshire

The British forces truly are lions led by donkeys. The real problem with the public reaction on Iraq and Afghanistan is that the wars are seen as useless and we are only there because we are following the US' orders. The US has been in the grip of a perma war government since 2001. We can only hope there is some relief and common sense in US policy after 20 January 2009. Again we can hope, but can we expect?

oldasiahand, Guildford, UK

The very senior commanders look to preserve their pensions, so never critisise /question government policy. We all know we went to war in Iraq on a lie, and the lies continue. And how can we ever win in Afganistan with the pitifully small numbers of troops, from many countries, in theatre when the Russians with 100 000 trops, massive fire power and resources and no regard for 'co-lateral damage' failed miserably. There is no public support for these wars, so what must our troops think about an uncaring government, self-seeking commanders and a dis-interested public, rotten compensation, lousy accommodation and little or no support for famalies left behind or bereaved .

My hat is off to our brave lads.

TP Preston, Southport, merseyside

Perhaps we should return to the fighting traditions of old when the monarch would lead his soldiers into battle. One wonders if Tony Blair would have been quite so eager to indulge in military adventures if he had to take his place in the turret of the lead tank.

As with the police and other organisations, the armed forces are sadly necessary - always have been and always will. I am sure that there are as many reasons for joining the services as there are people within them. Whatever it is that drives them to this profession, there is no doubt that these astonishing men and women are deserving of the highest regard. I have a picture of a young marine who failed to return from Northern Ireland. I am not able to shake his hand but will gladly shake the hand of any other British serviceman or servicewoman in his place.

Alan Wenman, Ruislip, UK

WORDS: Roger Antony Carter
Music & Vocals : Barry D Butler
All Rights Reserved © 2006



COMMANDS FOR HEROES


They obey their orders,
because they're soldiers
That's the way
it's done

They make their stake out
and have to take out
with the barrel of
a gun

Commands for heroes
Commands for heroes
Commands for heroes,
everyone

Fulfilling the demands
bravely bearing arms
That's their duty

Performing all the tasks
no matter what the risks
though so weary

Commands for heroes
Commands for heroes
Commanding heroes
a victory to be won

(c) roger antony carter 2005





--

roger carter, Portsmouth, Hampshire

"Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool, you can bet that Tommy sees." -- Rudyard Kipling

Steve, Republic , Washington, USA

THOSE HEROES NOW IGNORED


They don’t recognise it for reality
So far away on another shore
the orders given, the sound of dying
that far away, distant war


The news seems like a fiction
Is it really to do with us
Or is it something all so foreign -
Let’s not make a fuss

Chorus
Home from the war
Home, again
Home, from the tour
Battle weary, death engrained
Home again from the war
All heroes ignored

Battle scarred, a silent screaming
But masked to hide the pain
Those forgotten soldiers all
Their blood soaked loss, our gain

Chorus
Home from the war
Home, again
Home, from the tour
Battle weary, death engrained
Home again from the war
All heroes ignored

Done the nation’s grim bidding
Gave body mind and soul
Those same fighting men and women
They paid the highest toll

Outro
Home again from the war
All heroes ignored

Home from the war
Home, again

Those heroes now ignored

© roger antony carter 2007

roger carter, Portsmouth, Hampshire

Bloody typical response from the council! Mind you, once youve been in the services for a year or two you dont expect much else! Same goes for housing. Same also goes for the mealy mouthed politicians who 'admire our Forces'. Well - just stop admiring and get something going for them! Lets face it most of you wouldnt do it, but there are some notable exceptions.
MA

Mike Asacret, Cambridge, England

Damn right.

They deserve our respect and thanks - we have no idea what it is like to live the way they do in the field - and to be made to return to live in accomodation that is sub-standard by anyones standards is beyond unacceptable.

Our thanks are with you all.

NE, Midlands, UK

This is a national disgrace that our men and women can fight and risk their lives in the heat and dust of Iraq and Afghanistan and then return home to condemned homes and a local council that has no interest in engaging in public recognition for what the Woofers have achieved.

When is the British public going to wake up and starting licking local and national government to provide the recognition that these men and women have earned.

My wife and I have stopped giving money to all charities abroad and now only give money to the British Legion, Combat Stress, Help the Heroes, The Army Benevolent Fund and the NSPCC and NSPCA. However this is primarily a reflection of how little this government has done.

Colin Robinson, Chichester, West Sussex

The indifference is not against the soldiers, and returning to Hounslow these days, in our 'multicultural society', is not exactly returning to the heart of England!
The problem is that this is an unpopular and futile war; the British people do not support it, and it will achieve nothing of any substance for the people of this country. That is why people are indifferent.
The first phase, which concluded some 4 years ago, saw the Taliban 'beaten'. We withdrew, and back they came. The present phase will continue for the foreseeable future, as with Iraq there is no exit strategy, and when we withdraw, back they will come again. The NATO partners are wholly unenthusiastic (and what is this to do with NATO anyway?) We do not have the military resources to continue this, at least under present arrangements. In Afghanistan democracy is a hallucination, and duplicity remains endemic. Where is it leading?
Let us not waste any more British soldier's lives there.

David M, Surrey

D Mullineaux, Hindhead,

To all of the British Military - thanks. You may not see it, you will not know why, your reasons for being there lost in a sea of isolation from the remainder of the world and being apart from your families (oh and the local pub). The thanks you do receive on coming home seem far from the sacrifice you and your friends who will not come home, have made. The difference you make in Afghanistan may not become evident for years to come. But, YOU made a difference, every step you took, to every battle you fought. The children will remember. The battle against extremists will not be one that is measured in years, but in decades. Freedom does not come with chaos and fear, but with choice. The job you are doing is allowing people to have a choice and to be able to make decisions on their own future, not to have those made for them by someone who forces their ideology on them. The final decision will be theirs, but you enabled them to make that decision. Stay safe, and thank you again.

Martin, Alpharetta, GA

Perhaps th army is the blame for public disaffection by removing themselves by these name changes.
Why are the Worcester and Sherwood Foresters in Hounslow and why Mercian? I thought that was a TA Regiment?

Peter Trigg, London, e