Royal Wooton Bassett... Thank you.

[Pinhead]

Today, the people of Royal Wooton Bassett will hand over their self-imposed responsibilities of seeing home and honouring our fallen service men and women. I would like to take this opportunity to go on record, in our tiny little corner of the internet, and say thank you for their extraordinary show of support for our troops.

In a world where little seems to have any value, even things like dignity, decency and human life, the people of Royal Wooton Bassett have shown true patriotism and are a global example of what it means to be decent members of a society.

As an ex-soldier, I never served in a war zone. I am thankful for that every day. I saw active service in Northern Ireland but today's armed forces are an entirely different breed. They are true heroes. I am not ashamed to say that I have shed tears for the loss and suffering that our troops have endured to try and keep me safe. These are men and women that I have never and will never know but with whom I share an unspoken, common bond. I am eternally grateful for their efforts on my behalf, after all, without them I may have had to live in a society where writing this or expressing any opinion at all might not be allowed.

People of Royal Wooton Bassett, I offer my heartfelt thanks for your part in the history of our Armed Forces and for showing the world what a proud and decent nation we can be.

Lest we forget.

Thank you.

[Perpetua]

Completely agree with you Sean.

[safercigs]

100% agree as a ex soldier of 12 years the support that has been shown is not just amazing its outstanding

[bluemagnum]

Well said, they did our heroes proud.

[lynwlt]

Sean,

I remember when we first sent our troups into Iraq/Afghanistan and how it was reported that the British public were against our intervention.

I read that our troups were demoralised by what they saw as our lack of support for them.

The spontaneous show of respect by the citizens of Royal Wooton Bassett was, and is, a demonstration of the pride, gratitude and deep sadness that we feel when one of our servicemen or women has made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The fact that so many people from all over the country have made the effort to visit RWB to pay their respects demonstrates the esteem in which we hold our armed forces.

I am astonished by the fact that we still have young people ready and willing to enlist, knowing that the probability of being posted, and of being injured or killed, is high.

I am grateful for the courage and integrity of our service men and women, past, present and future.

Thankyou for your post Sean, and thankyou for your service to our nation.

Lynda

[curtisdon1]

Good post Sean, I have nothing but respect and gratitude for all our armed forces past and present,

[Lee]

I agree with the other comments. I'm against war but support our troops in whatever situations they find themselves in. It's a job I could never do and I appreciate the fact that there are those out there who are willing to it.

[digisatman]

It was our honour

[Jemima]

Aug 31, 2011 20:17:23 GMT digisatman said:

It was our honour

You just made me cry a little ...

[Pinhead]

Aug 31, 2011 20:17:23 GMT digisatman said:

It was our honour

...and a burden. You and everyone else should be rightly proud of yourselves. Thank you.

Sean

[Pinhead]

I also emailed the Town Council saying pretty much what I'd posted here... and today I got a reply from the Mayor! Wasn't expecting that... but perhaps I should have... after all, the Town's record of decency is very evident!

Dear Sean

Thank you for your email and the sentiments you express.

Every one of the repatriations is a sad event which reinforces the pride and gratitude we feel for our armed services personnel. It is especially reassuring to know that throughout the country, and even the world, people like yourself feel the same as we do.

If you are able to visit Wootton Bassett, you would be made most welcome. Perhaps you could spend a few quiet moments at our memorial.

Kind Regards

Paul Heaphy
Mayor of Wootton Bassett

Sean

[Jemima]

Wow that is a good idea pinhead, do you have the email address that you used incase anyoen else would like to ?

[Pinhead]

I just used their contact page... if you don't want to supply some of the required details (like your address), then just type N/A and it will accept it.

www.woottonbassett.gov.uk/contact-us/

Sean

[Perpetua]

I'm even more impressed and humbled by the Mayor's personal to response to you Sean.