Death in Afganistan

Hi , we have had two funerals in three weeks , both lads lived only two miles apart.
Castleford west yorkshire was a whole town in mourning.
What a terrible waste of young lives.
There families suffering untold grief .
RIP lads.

 

Heartbreaking. The death of a child is devastating. Why? They're soldiers. they go and do what they're told. That's their job. If they don't want to do it, they can buy themselves out. The only question is, should they be there. Well, if you vote, you put them there! Search your own conscience.

 

According to the news, it would appear the amount of post being sent to Afghanistan is such that the postal service can't cope with it all! Sounds like a good gesture though.

As for Afghanistan, I don't know the answer to the situation out there but a) I'm sure our country's interference in another country is leading to "home-grown" terrorists here and b) I wonder if a political party stood up and promised to bring the troops home, should they win the election, would that party then get the votes? It worked in Spain, after the Madrid train bombing, when I believe the opposition party vowed to pull out of Iraq - they won in the next election.

 

We still do not know when Mathews funeral is. It was expected to be this Wednesday or Thursday but at this time they have not released his body.
This has got to be agonizing for the family.
robert

 

That's dreadful Capney.
When loved ones depart - what a euphemism - families need to find some kind of closure in a funeral.
To keep families hanging on like that is just cruelty and a total lack of any kind of insight or human kindness.

 

Service for Mathew tomorrow in York Minster.
A place well suited for the occasion.
I shall be there as a representative of our street and all the wonderful people in it, also my friends on GC if you want me to.
robert

 

You can certainly represent me Capney with my respect to these young men and my most sincere sympathy to their families. I just wish you didn't have to go but I fear there will be many more. I just hope their families can believe they died for something - that will give them some comfort .
I usually try to avoid being political but in this case I have to say it is not a cause I would fight and die for, or send my son to die for. May reason prevail soon.
I will be thinking about you all tomorrow.

 

As promished to myself and a whole host of other people I attended the service in York Minster for Mathew.
Before the service started I sat there listening to the organ and people watching. Its reckoned there was 1000 people inside and many hundreds outside on his arrival and departure.
There was so much emotion inside that Minster you could cut it with a knife.
I shed a tear or two for Mathew
Another few for all those we have lost in all the conflicts around the world.
I was invited to attend the "Get together" in one of our local pubs where I spend a few hours getting to know a few people and downing a pint or two for Mathew.
I have to say if you want a grand send off the Minster is the place.
Thank you all for your thoughts and feeling over this troublesome period for some very dear friends of ours.
robert

 

It must have been extremely difficult and emotional to be at the service. Although it does seem impossible at times to make any sense of why Matthew and all of the others had to be there in Afghanistan, it is worth remembering that he really wanted to be a soldier. His sister Becky, (good friend of my daughter) certainly believes and finds this a comfort. She had just left to work for a year in Australia, so excited and happy. I think it is worth remembering we need to try focus our comments in public, on our gratitude for what these young men and women are doing for us....for the families sakes. I mean, I have a job understanding why they are out there, but now feel that to voice that view must provide no comfort for Matthews family.