Hi all,

Today is Armed Forces Day in America. The equivalent in the UK isn’t until June 25. I just wanted to create this thread as a small gesture of thanks to the men and women of the Armed Forces, who put their lives on the line on a daily basis. I don’t want this to develop into a political discussion. This is not the place to debate whether or not wars are just. Nor is it the place to argue whether or not a country’s forces should be engaged in a war.

What it is however, is a simple salute to the brave men and women that go to foreign lands all over the world. They leave their bases not knowing what fate awaits them. They do it out of loyalty to their country, and to protect our way of life. On top of that, they leave behind family and loved ones whom they may never see again.

Even Irish forces have been sent to hotspots like Lebanon and Gaza on peacekeeping missions with the UN. They have to go to these places because it’s their duty as part of the armed forces. But in recent years, those forces haven’t been given the credit they fully deserve. More time has been given to debating the legitimacy of war. Unfortunately, the bravery of the ordinary soldier gets forgotten in this situation.

I want to thank all of the men and women of the Armed Forces for their dedication to protecting and serving the rest of us. I also want to thank their families for this selfless act. Speaking from a country that is neutral, I'm glad that the armed forces of both the U.S and U.K are so strong. While there remains a threat in the world, the armed forces will always be needed. We should be greatful that so many respond to the call and the challenges with bravery.

I want to pay tribute to the many heroes who have fallen in all the wars, including two World Wars, and to honour the many veterans who survived those conflicts. Their courage and bravery in the face of adversity is an example to us all.

They should never be forgotten.

I’ve included a link to The Dept. of Defence website, where you can read the history etc of the day.

http://www.defense.gov/afd/


We would all like to see a world where war and loss of life was no longer necessary, but that is an ideal world. Sadly, we are a bit away from those ideals yet. All we can do is try to improve the world around us in some little way, one step at a time. But while there is a need for the Armed Forces of various countries, we should be ever mindful of the sacrifices made by those that serve the combined forces of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Nice post K.

Tommy

by Rudyard Kipling (1865– 1936)

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o'beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:

O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's ``Thank you, Mister Atkins,'' when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's ``Thank you, Mr. Atkins,'' when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.

Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy how's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints:
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;

While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind,"
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir," when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.

For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country," when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
But Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool - you bet that Tommy sees!

And the more recent version...

Tommy (with apologies to Kipling)

Written by Patrick Campbell

They flew me 'ome from Baghdad with a bullet in me chest.
Cos they've closed the army 'ospitals, I'm in the NHS.
The nurse, she ain't no Britisher an' so she ain't impressed.
It's like I'm some street corner thug who's come off second best.
Yes, it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "You're not welcome 'ere".
But when Saddam was collar'd, they was quick enough to cheer.

They're proud when Tommy Atkins 'olds the thin red line out there,
But now he's wounded back at 'ome, he has to wait for care.
Some stranger in the next bed sez, "Don't you feel no shame?
You kill my Muslim brothers!" So it's me not 'im to blame!
An' then the cleaner ups an' sez "Who are you fightin' for?
It ain't for Queen and country 'cos it's Bush's bloody war!"
It's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, what's that smell?"
But it's "God go with you, Tommy," when they fly us out to 'ell.

O then we're just like 'eroes from the army's glorious past.
Yes, it's "God go with you, Tommy," when the trip might be your last.
They pays us skivvy wages, never mind we're sitting ducks,
When clerks what's pushing pens at 'ome don't know their flippin' luck.
"Ah, yes" sez they "but think of all the travel to be 'ad."
Pull the other one. Does Cooks do 'olidays in Baghdad?
It's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, know your place,"
But it's "Tommy, take the front seat," when there's terrorists to chase.

An' the town is full of maniacs who'd like you dead toot sweet.
Yes, it's "Thank you, Mr Atkins," when they find you in the street.
There's s'pposed to be a covynant to treat us fair an' square
But I 'ad to buy me army boots, an' me combats is threadbare.
An' 'alf the bloody 'elicopters can't get into the air,
An' me pistol jammed when snipers fired. That's why I'm laid up 'ere.
Yes, it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, "We 'ave to watch the pence";
Bold as brass the P.M. sez, "We spare them no expense.

"But I'll tell you when they do us proud an' pull out all the stops,
It's when Tommy lands at Lyneham in a bloomin' wooden box!

There is no adequate smiley so I'll simply say "Thanks for past, for the present and for our future."