Is this the way to treat our servicemen ?

[SCRG1970]

I have just recieved this from a forces newsletter I belong to and was so irate I have to share it with the forum. I quote


"The bodies of the soldiers murdered in Northern Ireland were flown home without ceremony. This has angered members of H M Forces."British troops have spoken of their anger following the disclosure that the bodies of the two soldiers murdered by dissident republicans were shipped back to the UK as freight.We have been told that the soldiers were not allowed a ramp service because of political reasons. We were told the Government did not want anything that would look like the Troubles had restarted. As far as we are concerned these soldiers were shot dead in uniform by terrorists and they should be treated in exactly the same way as if they were killed in Afghanistan. To send their bodies back to the UK as freight is outrageous. When a person joins any branch of the Armed Forces they are effectively on duth 24/7. The Government are further requested to rewview the crass rules that allowed this to happen. The government are further requested to amend the rules on Ramp Ceremonies."

End of quote.

I believe this to be part of a petition. What dipstick in the MOD allowed this and who has spoken out against it???

Over to you guys

Regards

Gerry

[Batstiger]

I quite agree with you Gerry!
I received an email this afternoon from a navy friend who gave me the link to the petition.
I would like to put the link with this post for members to use if they so wish to do.

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Soldiers-on-Duty/

Cheers, Bob.

[astraltrader]

:mad:Both an outrage and an insult to our servicemen.
This would have been a scandal with appropriate head[s] rolling 30 years ago whereas sadly today it is almost par for the course.

It is the ALMOST that means there should be trouble kicked up over this, and if I can play just a small part by signing a petition then I would gladly do so.

If you should ever find there is a petition over this Gerry please post the link here and I will gladly sign.

I feel sure that many other members would do likewise...

[designeraccd]

I'm obviously not a Brit, but as a former US Marine I consider that type of PC "treatment" of brave service personnel to be a TOTAL @$%#@ OUTRAGE! DFO :eek::mad:

[SCRG1970]

Thanks for those that have answered and to Bob for the petition address.
I was sure that I was not alone in considering this an insult to our serving forces.

Regards

gerry

[Vegaskip]

I totaly agree with all the above posts, but are we really surprised,all we need now is the government to propose removing the "Great "from Great Britain in case it causes offence.

[Norsky]

This just saddens me to the point of being completely disgusted.

I'm not British, so I usually refrain from saying scathing things about the government over there; it is not my place.

But, this is outrageous. It disgusts me that any government could stoop so low in the name of being politically sensitive.

I do offer apologies to any Commonwealth members of the forum, I hope no offense taken here.

[MartinH-K]

Norsky, you are only saying what all of us are thinking. For me, it's not about the dead servicemen... they are no longer here. For me, it's about their grieving families. It's about respect being shown to and for those who have lost loved ones, those loved ones making the ultimate sacrifice. I, like many here have served my country in its armed forces. I, like many here feel nothing but contempt for those who made the decision to 'play down' any significance in this action. The simple truth is that you are just as dead if you are killed in a 'police action' as you would be in a full blown war. Your nearest and dearest are just as distressed and your country owes you just as much for what you have paid. I am frankly staggered by the stupidity that has allowed this to happen. I have no doubt that there was no disrespect intended. I also have no doubt that thoughtlessness and idiocy are the govenors of this incident rather than any intent to follow some kind of PC inspired logic.:confused:

[CGRET]

This is the most insensative, outrageous, dis-respectful act any government can to do to there service personnel who are serving in the Armed Forces! Being a retired military this is disgusting!!

Regards
Charles

[Batstiger]

Terry, if you look at the second post you will see that I have put up the petition address.

Regards, Bob.

[astraltrader]

Many thanks Bob - have signed!!

[mik43]

This is disgusting and it is highly noticeable that nothing has been reported in the UK press as far as I am aware. Bob, many thanks for posting the link which has allowed me to add my name to the petition. Terry, and other moderators, is it worth moving this thread to Shore Leave to get maximum exposure as it could capture non-members as well? We need to ensure it gets seen by as many people as possible, and perhaps Alan can use his family connections to get it raised in Parliament.
Mik

[astraltrader]

OK Mik - have moved it to shore leave.

[MartinH-K]

I too have now signed.:mad:

[Norsky]

I wish I could sign.

Best of luck on this!

[Joseph]

Petition Signed.

Regards Charles

[oldsalt]

I'm speechless, the petition is signed. Just another contempt from the polititions.

[Vegaskip]

Signed and delivered

[splashg32]

:mad:Duly signed.

[Blaydon]

I have signed also.

[mike d]

I agree with all that has been said here. A complete lack of respect,but SO typical of the mentality of many politicians and most bureaucrats.

[davep]

totally agree with all your comments. i cant understand why we have to bend over backwards to make sure we dont upset the republicans, its as if we were the terrorists over there. It doesnt matter where a service man dies he has no choice in where the government decides it want the forces serving. And they should have the decency to return them with honour for doing there job.

[Wombat]

No point in me ranting and raving, I agree with everything that has been said, and if my signature on a petition will help to voice my dissaproval of this lack of respect, I have gladly added it.

Wombat,
(James).

[Blaydon]

Have emailed The Sun newspaper with reference to this in case they wish to run a story on this disgrace given their Help for Heroes stance.

[mik43]

Well done Kev
Mik

[Derek Dicker]

Have signed

Derek

[Mr Woo]

I have also signed the petition.

How low can our government sink?

George.

[MartinH-K]

Several feet lower than the Titanic I suspect...:(

[Francis Stanley]

Signed as well,
this sort of under hand appease every one except the mugs that serve the government is something we have come to expect. heaven forbid we might offend some terrorist, he might stop claiming his benefits. :confused:

[MartinH-K]

Or even... leave the country in protest!!!:eek: