Lest we forget

It seems almost ironic now that the poppy should represent those who gave their lives in war, now that essentially the war in Afghanistan is because of poppies.

For those who grow the poppy are under the rule of the poppy /heroin crop dictators, the Taliban.

And the casualties of this war are not just the soldiers who die in Afghanistan, but the kids on the streets here, who are seduced into buying Afghanistani heroin, at low prices, thus destroying their own lives, their families and communities. A new kind of warfare.

If someone added up the casualties of war and the increase in heroin addicts since the new millennium, we would have the true total.

But November 11 is about the Military Dead. Much as I have respect for those who gave their lives, I also fear for those who came back. In WWII my grandfather was amongst those who eventually came back. He was lucky and full bodied. Yet those veterans still had their memories and ghosts to live with.

But what about today's soldiers? How do you rebuild your life when you are now disabled? blind? paraplegic? Who supports your family? who rehabilitates you?

The one man I find quite inspirational, though he is one of the rare survivors is Major Phil Packer, it would take me too long to go into detail, so his website is listed below. Please take a moment to read it.

And what about the boys still there? fighting for whom , and what, exactly? under equipped, under resourced?At risk through lack of funds, equipment, defences, medical resources, kit. It appals me.

How dare we send our young men and women into combat unarmed, for that is what they may as well be, peasants with sticks. Either do the job properly or don't do it. If we can't afford to arm them sufficiently- bring them home. Otherwise, Brown & Co you are guilty of war crimes against your own army.

http://www.armybenfund.org/youcanhelp/

http://www.helpforheroes.co.uk/

http://www.philpacker.com/