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British soldiers have sustained heavy casualties in Iraq
and Afghanistan, and there have been many extremely disturbing
reports about the standard of treatment wounded servicemen
have received in hospitals in England.
The men and women of the hard-pressed British Army, which
has been stretched to the limit by the calls placed on the
military are entitled to the thanks and congratulations of
a grateful population.
Sadly, as the Army chief-of-staff General Sir Richard Dannett,
and his predecessor, General Mike Jackson, have revealed,
this has not been forthcoming.
Both men have compared the attitude of an apathetic British
public with that of the ultra-patriotic American public who
never lose the opportunity to salute their brave warriors.
As the writer experienced on a visit to the United States
a few years ago, cities, towns and villages go out of their
way to recognise their service personnel. There are big welcoming
parties for the troops, and whole communities lay on celebrations
for them.
There is an enormous pride in the United States for the
armed forces of that nation. Veterans are always recognised,
and are asked to stand up and identify themselves at many
functions, something which leads to cheers and applause.
In contrast, press photographs in Britain recently showed
returning soldiers parading through empty streets in English
cities and towns, with hardly anyone interested.
Northern Ireland must ensure that when its brave soldiers,
such as the men of the Irish Guards and Royal Irish Regiment,
return to the province after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan
that they receive the deserved plaudits of a grateful population.
There has never been any difficulty in the past in this
regard. I can remember, as a schoolboy, the street parties
held for returning soldiers to Ulster at the end of the Second
World War.
I also recall the pride I felt as an uncle returned from
the war, wearing his RAF uniform, and the welcome a cousin
who had fought in the closing months of the war, in Germany,
with the Royal Ulster Rifles, received in my grandparents
house.
People in the street applauded in both cases, and that was
a common feature throughout the Province.
I am sure there is the same pride today in our soldiers,
and this column would encourage people to give our returning
troops their good wishes.
One of the features of the Troubles in the province was
that soldiers, airmen and sailors from Northern Ireland were
rarely seen here wearing their uniform.
Surely the time has come, especially as we are assured the
Troubles are over, for our soldiers who serve so courageously
in the world trouble spots, to be allowed to wear their service
uniform when they return on leave, or to visit their families.
That way it would ensure that the troops receive the recognition
and the thanks they deserve from a proud and grateful public.
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