Well today I went to Selly Oak hospital with my Dad (ENT out patients dept) for his annual check up on Bone anchored Hearing Aid.
And while we were there there were three young soldiers (Selly Oak is hospital for soldiers injured) in the dept all of whom has hearing problems, due to the above wars...one young lad had been 19 on Monday in January he had been blown up by a IED...he'd lost both his legs above the knee, and fingers from his left hand including his thumb....a young man in his 20's also an IED attack who had lost his left leg above the knee and his left arm and almost his right leg. A young lad who had been shot on 30th Jan... the bullet had gone through his left thigh into his right leg breaking it. Doctors had saved his leg but he had no control feeling over his right foot, and his left leg had been shattered by the bullet. And he had pins holding it together and had lost part of his liver and his spleen...due to being shot...

As I was chatting to them a young lad 20 came in with a nurse....he'd been blown up by an IED which had blinded him and taken off his right ear...and 3 fingers of his right hand.....and part of his right foot.
They were all chatting away.....and it brought it home to me....seriously so young.....and all were intending to remain in the army......amazing young men.

As we left my Dad shook their hands and thanked them and all of them got choked up...as did I. You read it in the paper but until you see/meet them it does not hit home. 

Phhewwww!   Pretty emotional stuff.  And they just look like kids when you see them close up.

Yes you see it on the news, and read in the papers but actually seeing and speaking to these lads made me  sit up and take notice.

I did a shoebox when others on here did but I wonder if its enough.....

Yes you see it on the news, and read in the papers but actually seeing and speaking to these lads made me  sit up and take notice.

I did a shoebox when others on here did but I wonder if its enough.....

You just filled my eyes with tears. So early in the morning too.

They aren't thanked enough are they? No wonder they became emotional when you showed them some gratitude.

I don't think that the general public honour our armed forces the way we should. When you look at some of the yobs and gangs on the streets thinking they are so clever, the young criminals being offered holidays etc for therapy, whilst our soldiers are crying out just for the right clothing and food.

Our young soldiers should have the world given to them. Well, I for one think the world of them, I'm very proud of them.

Bless them all.

So sad, one of my friends, friends son was sadly killed last week and is being repatriated today.  Sadly some of you on here may know the family.

Thank you to all of those are still alive and RIP those of you who we have lost.

Just filled up with tears reading that. Whether you agree with the war or not those young men and women need our support for the courage and bravery they have. They are the ones that deserve huge paypackets - not footballers and celebritys.