Public support is vital for our troops (From Daily Echo)
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Public support is vital for our troops
5:15pm Thursday 15th October 2009 in 17 Port & Martime Regiment
John Sandford Hart
A HAMPSHIRE soldier wounded in the line of duty says the public cannot underestimate how important their support is for returning troops.
Amputee John Sandford Hart has thrown his support behind heroes from the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment, who are returning from Afghanistan next week.
In just over a week’s time John will climb some 19,000 feet to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro on crutches for Help for Heroes, a world record should he complete it. The ex-TA soldier, part of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), severely damaged his right leg in a powerboat accident leading to it being amputated in February this year.
John did the London Marathon this year, setting two more world records and will attempt his third in a year on October 22.
Around 350 soldiers from the 17 Port and Maritime Regiment will parade through the Bargate next Thursday.
John, said: “It’s vital people come down and support them to pay respect for what the guys have been doing out there for everybody else.
“They deserve all the support they can get. Climbing this mountain is a mark of respect to all the guys out there, no matter what regiment and to soldiers past, present and future.”
John, 43, said that he struggled to say with words how important it was for the public to support returning troops.
“Fundraising for our climb we have had so many people come up and congratulate us for what we’re doing.
“It’s just so important to the lads that the people get down to Southampton next Thursday and make them feel proud.”
John will take on the climb with four other soldiers, one blinded, two shot and injured and two able bodied men aiming to raise £100,000.
Comments(4)
goard
says...
11:19am Fri 16 Oct 09
goard
Nearly an OAP
says...
12:00pm Fri 16 Oct 09
B. L.
says...
7:00pm Fri 16 Oct 09
Nearly an OAP wrote:Good post.
I echo the last two comments. Stop the fundamentalist Muslims in this country from chanting abuse, and worse, at our troops when marching through city centres; support should be increased financially by the MoD and government for disabled and injured troops; and the public and employers should not forget these ex-soldiers when they're back in society.
It's only my personal view but I feel the low life, such as the extremist muslims in Luton, and other such places in UK who have the same attitude and spew their vile hatred, should be rounded up by the Police and sent back to their "beloved" islamic country of choice immediately, without the option of packing bags. If this had to be financed by public donations and I would gladly donate to this as I'm sure there are one or two others that would also.
The alternative is to know who and where these mfs (muslim fanatics) are and keep an eye on them. Keep up the good work MI5 and the Police Anti-Terrorist Organization.
Enough said, you get the drift and before I go too much overboard !
Wait a minute, does this make me a supporter of certain groups ?
Have a nice day, except you know who :o) !
Countdown to post bouncing !!
Condor Man says...
7:35pm Thu 15 Oct 09