General Chat

Taken from the Daily Mail 18th August 2009
A very moving poem. - but have included the editorial as well.

A British soldier serving in Afghanistan accuses politicians of 'hiding away and out of danger' in a moving poem about the return of fallen troops to the UK.

The poem, entitled Repatriation, is circulating among UK troops in Helmand province and has been posted on Facebook.

It tells of an unnamed 'hero' whose body has been flown back to Britain and driven through Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire where crowds turn out to pay their respects.

One verse pointedly refers to the absence of ministers from repatriation ceremonies, which have become more and more frequent in recent weeks.

The author, Staff Sergeant Andy McFarlane is currently based at Camp Bastion and wrote an earlier poem Sunset Vigil about eight soldiers dying in 24 hours.

Here is the new poem:

Repatriation

The leviathan of the sky does land
In England's green and pleasant land.
Its cargo more precious than gold
The body of a hero, bold.

Once the giant's engines stopped
The cargo ramp is gently dropped
Carried by six on shoulders true
The hero is saluted by the crew.

The coffin draped in Union Jack
Is slowly carried out the back.
Out of the dark and into light
Slowly down the ramp and to the right.

The six approach the hearse all black
And place the hero gently in the back.
The six then turn and march away
Their duty has been done this day.

Politicians usually have much to say
No sign of them near here this day.
They hide away and out of danger,
Much easier if the hero is a stranger.

The hearse with its precious load
Moves slowly out onto the road.
The floral tributes line the route
While comrades snap a smart salute.

At the edge of a Wiltshire town
The cortege slows its pace right down.
The streets are packed, many deep,
Some throw flowers, most just weep.

The crowd have come to say farewell,
The church bell rings a low death knell.
Regimental standards are lowered down
As the hero passed through the town.

The cortege stops and silence reigns
The townsfolk feel the family's pain.
The nations' flag lowered to half mast
Our brave hero is home at last.

Being a Mother of a brave lad that served in Araq, I can truly understand how this soilder feels. Luckily for me my Son survived and is now out of the army. But I do know every time he hears of a death of a soilder he weeps. Many of his good mates are still out there and he has lot a few of his mates. I ptay each night for all our brave soilders. God Bless them all xx..

Hi Gillian

I know people that are or have served in the forces,and you are right
God bless them all

Liz

Nudge

A very moving verse Elizabeth

My next door neighbour's grandson is serving with the Marines in Afghanistan at the moment,he has been to most of the world's trouble spots. His family worry about him constantly.

Bring them home I say

thankyou for sharing the poem with us I have 2 sons in the forces one goes to Afghanistan next year I am dreading it

last nudge

Dear Elizabeth,
A very touching poem, had a little weep thinking of all our lads and lasses serving in all parts of the world. I do feel that if Government Ministers had members of their own families serving then the troops would be better equiped and better looked after when they do come home. Our troops are doing a brilliant job but I am sure they would all rather be home. We all owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

Regards
Rosemary

Dear Rosemary
I totally agree that all our troops are doing a very good job, and they should be better equipped.
I think that instead of claiming Ifiddling) expenes the MP's should pay them a decent wage,

Regards
Liz

Elizabeth A

Thank you for posting this. One of my sons has been to Afghanistan, so I know what the fears etc are but I also felt a hige amount of pride.

I wonder if these poems will be published.

Today I "Will Remember Them" along with all the others who have lost their lives in the defence of others.

Bridget

n

We must be mad. There is not a snowball's chance in hell of winning this one. If you look at the history of Geurilla warfare through the ages its always a case of attrition. Thats a nice word for a terrible thing, it means throwing away the lives of young men and women.

If it was a real war with all our resources thrown at Afghanistan then we would win in no time, But it is a war on "terrorism", there is no clearly defined enemy, the Taliban just melt into villages and terrify the people to shield them.

If and when we leave, be it next month, next year or 10 years time, within a year that God-forsaken country will be back where it started and all the lives will have been lost in vain.

Bring them home now. The whole country of Afghanistan is not worth the life of one British Serviceman or woman.

Hope no one minds me nudging this