Troops given giant welcome home (From Daily Echo)

I served with 52 Squadron,Port and Maritime from 2000-2003. Sorry I cant be there today to see the troops from 17 Port And Martime March through Southampton. Well done to all of you! Keep up the good work and hopefully catch up with you soon

All the Best for today

Chris

I served with 52 Squadron,Port and Maritime from 2000-2003. Sorry I cant be there today to see the troops from 17 Port And Martime March through Southampton. Well done to all of you! Keep up the good work and hopefully catch up with you soon

All the Best for today

Chris

I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

The Grey Mystery wrote:
I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Grey Mystery fought for his or her freedom - he or she must have had a serious head wound if he or she cannot recognise that this is a war that the civilised world must win. This is a long war against extremist islamists who know no boundaries nor normal civilised behaviour. If these people who live in 12th century diatribe are not stopped and eliminated as an influence they will consume the western world.
Our soldiers are engaged in a legitimate war and long term struggle that needs full support and backing from all citizens. Anyone insulting, threatening or obstructing the troops welcome home parade should be arrested and placed in prison to reflect upon their treasonable attitudes. Remember if people opposed the taliban they were executed after substantial torture - we tend to be a little more civilised.
In Australia a mad so-called mullah shiek nobody has sent letters to the families of Aussie soldiers killed in Afghanistan calling the deceased soldiers "muderers". This iranian born refugee who grabbed Aussie citizenship with both hands and probably lives off the largesse of the Aussie social security benefits has forfeited his right to remain in Aussie, a sentiment echoed by the Aussie Prime Minister. Maybe the tide is finally turning or maybe the penny has finally dropped.

The Grey Mystery wrote:
I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Wow. This must be the first time I've ever agreed with you.
.
I'm not cheering for anyone who takes cash in exchange for killing people.

You forget one important matter!! Yes, the troops are only doing there job but it isnt there choice to go to war. They didnt choose to leave their families to fly thousands of miles away to be possibly killed or injured. Yes you are entitled to your opinion, though Im sure thousands upon thousands wont agree with you!!! This isnt about the war, It is about these guys who are willing to do a job that has been put upon them by their country. I served there too and I dont regret one action I made. I joined in peace time and this was a job that I just had to do at the time regardless of my views on the situation. I say well done to them all and Im sure most join me in welcoming them home safely.

Redback wrote:

The Grey Mystery wrote:
I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Wow. This must be the first time I've ever agreed with you.
.
I'm not cheering for anyone who takes cash in exchange for killing people.

Redback- Are you one of those dim-wits who believe there should be no such thing as the Armed Forces?

All memebers of the Armed Forces should be proud that they have the job they do. (I am not passing judgement on the war they are involved in, just the career choice) There is nothing whatsoever to be ashamed about in being a soldier. They have a perfectly legitimate and essential job so please don't try to imply that they are all paid murderers- you are the sort of person that is destroying this country piece by piece, little by little.

opendiscussions wrote:

The Grey Mystery wrote:
I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Grey Mystery fought for his or her freedom - he or she must have had a serious head wound if he or she cannot recognise that this is a war that the civilised world must win. This is a long war against extremist islamists who know no boundaries nor normal civilised behaviour. If these people who live in 12th century diatribe are not stopped and eliminated as an influence they will consume the western world.
Our soldiers are engaged in a legitimate war and long term struggle that needs full support and backing from all citizens. Anyone insulting, threatening or obstructing the troops welcome home parade should be arrested and placed in prison to reflect upon their treasonable attitudes. Remember if people opposed the taliban they were executed after substantial torture - we tend to be a little more civilised.
In Australia a mad so-called mullah shiek nobody has sent letters to the families of Aussie soldiers killed in Afghanistan calling the deceased soldiers "muderers". This iranian born refugee who grabbed Aussie citizenship with both hands and probably lives off the largesse of the Aussie social security benefits has forfeited his right to remain in Aussie, a sentiment echoed by the Aussie Prime Minister. Maybe the tide is finally turning or maybe the penny has finally dropped.

the problem is that he is right about the afghanistan part it is an illegal war, and all it was a case of getting rid of a government that the usa did not approve off, and the uk government either got dupe into it or went in there for the same reason, both the uk and the usa government told to many lies, just to make it sound jusified,
but the iraq part of the war is a different kettle of fish, here they needed to go in because the iraq government was committing genocide and this need to be stop, even lo it was not the reason why the usa wanted to go in, that part was for oil control. but it served a porpoise in stopping the genocide taken place.

The illegal war in Iraq and dubious and unwinnable one in Afghanistan are not worth the life of a single British soldier.

AndyAndrews wrote:
The illegal war in Iraq and dubious and unwinnable one in Afghanistan are not worth the life of a single British soldier.

i would not say the iraq war was illegal because of the genocide that was taken place, just that they went here for the wrong reason and that was to control the oil

opendiscussions wrote:

The Grey Mystery wrote: I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Grey Mystery fought for his or her freedom - he or she must have had a serious head wound if he or she cannot recognise that this is a war that the civilised world must win. This is a long war against extremist islamists who know no boundaries nor normal civilised behaviour. If these people who live in 12th century diatribe are not stopped and eliminated as an influence they will consume the western world. Our soldiers are engaged in a legitimate war and long term struggle that needs full support and backing from all citizens. Anyone insulting, threatening or obstructing the troops welcome home parade should be arrested and placed in prison to reflect upon their treasonable attitudes. Remember if people opposed the taliban they were executed after substantial torture - we tend to be a little more civilised. In Australia a mad so-called mullah shiek nobody has sent letters to the families of Aussie soldiers killed in Afghanistan calling the deceased soldiers "muderers". This iranian born refugee who grabbed Aussie citizenship with both hands and probably lives off the largesse of the Aussie social security benefits has forfeited his right to remain in Aussie, a sentiment echoed by the Aussie Prime Minister. Maybe the tide is finally turning or maybe the penny has finally dropped.

If the gist of your argument is that we have to win this war for the sake of homeland security then I think it's a flawed argument. Even if the Taleban and Al Quaeda are driven out of Afghanistan they will move to Pakistan. What then ? Does the western alliance then insist on entering Pakistan to drive them out of there ? Even if they are driven out of Pakistan by the Pakistani government they will move on - to Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea, Algeria. The truth is that our troops are engaged in an unwinnable war with no clear objective. I salute their courage and heroism but I question the reasons that they are there - and the people who cannot answer those questions are in the government - they believe that if you say things loudly and consistently then they must be true.

I was at the Bargate today to welcome our troops back home.

It was great to see how many people made the effort to greet and welcome them, I felt very proud to be a part of it.

i was there today not only to show my support to a very close friend who serves in the regiment....but also to show my support to all the british armed forces. WELL DONE & WELCOME HOME..we are very proud of you all.

Carpe Diem wrote:

opendiscussions wrote:

The Grey Mystery wrote: I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Grey Mystery fought for his or her freedom - he or she must have had a serious head wound if he or she cannot recognise that this is a war that the civilised world must win. This is a long war against extremist islamists who know no boundaries nor normal civilised behaviour. If these people who live in 12th century diatribe are not stopped and eliminated as an influence they will consume the western world. Our soldiers are engaged in a legitimate war and long term struggle that needs full support and backing from all citizens. Anyone insulting, threatening or obstructing the troops welcome home parade should be arrested and placed in prison to reflect upon their treasonable attitudes. Remember if people opposed the taliban they were executed after substantial torture - we tend to be a little more civilised. In Australia a mad so-called mullah shiek nobody has sent letters to the families of Aussie soldiers killed in Afghanistan calling the deceased soldiers "muderers". This iranian born refugee who grabbed Aussie citizenship with both hands and probably lives off the largesse of the Aussie social security benefits has forfeited his right to remain in Aussie, a sentiment echoed by the Aussie Prime Minister. Maybe the tide is finally turning or maybe the penny has finally dropped.

If the gist of your argument is that we have to win this war for the sake of homeland security then I think it's a flawed argument. Even if the Taleban and Al Quaeda are driven out of Afghanistan they will move to Pakistan. What then ? Does the western alliance then insist on entering Pakistan to drive them out of there ? Even if they are driven out of Pakistan by the Pakistani government they will move on - to Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea, Algeria. The truth is that our troops are engaged in an unwinnable war with no clear objective. I salute their courage and heroism but I question the reasons that they are there - and the people who cannot answer those questions are in the government - they believe that if you say things loudly and consistently then they must be true.

Post of the day!

To all the weirdos, flunkys, cowards and general people that wish to bad mouth the armed forces; you do not have one strand of what these ladies and gents are made of in your bodies. You can whine all day about the wrongs and rights of the Iraq and Afghan wars, but the fact is the former removed a brutal dictator who killed hundreds of thousands of his people, and the latter is preventing the terrorists a free ride to my country. I was in Iraq in 2003 during the initial war and saw the mass graves. Don't tell me he was not a monster and the war was a worthy cause. Every body in Southampton was proud to see our soldiers back after a job well done, if you can't live with that, tough. Old bloke, exactly where did you fight in WW2.

Should be "not a worthy cause" Sorry.

i was over town today by the river where they all started off..well done to the lads and gals,you do a greatjob...very dissapointed in Princess Anne though as she couldn't even be bothered a little wave to all those school children who came to watch waving their flags....

I am a current serving member of 17 Port & Maritime and was on the parade today. The reception from those gathered on the streets made me proud to be a soldier! Thank you Southampton!

As to those dubious arguments about an unwinable war, are you suggesting that we should just stand by and watch an oppressive regime, torture and murder their citizens with impunity? or should we as a a civilized and moral people do everything we can to prevent these atrocities, regardless of whether it is winable or not?

Redback wrote:

The Grey Mystery wrote: I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Wow. This must be the first time I've ever agreed with you. . I'm not cheering for anyone who takes cash in exchange for killing people.

There's always one isn't there or in this case two!!!!!

discobaby wrote:
I am a current serving member of 17 Port & Maritime and was on the parade today. The reception from those gathered on the streets made me proud to be a soldier! Thank you Southampton!

As to those dubious arguments about an unwinable war, are you suggesting that we should just stand by and watch an oppressive regime, torture and murder their citizens with impunity? or should we as a a civilized and moral people do everything we can to prevent these atrocities, regardless of whether it is winable or not?

No need to thank me mate,

I was proud to stand there and support you and your colleagues return home, I wish they had these homecoming parades in my day in the army.

Mind you, some of the lads & lasses could have smiled a bit more.

these men and women are doing a sterling job and deserve our support, if it wasn`t for the armed forces you two wouldn`t have the freedom to post your thoughts? on here.

Great turnout today, well done Southampton. It really makes a difference to know the sensible majority of the public support the troops when they have to sacrifice so much.

bemused26 wrote:

Redback wrote:

The Grey Mystery wrote: I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Wow. This must be the first time I've ever agreed with you. . I'm not cheering for anyone who takes cash in exchange for killing people.

Redback- Are you one of those dim-wits who believe there should be no such thing as the Armed Forces? All memebers of the Armed Forces should be proud that they have the job they do. (I am not passing judgement on the war they are involved in, just the career choice) There is nothing whatsoever to be ashamed about in being a soldier. They have a perfectly legitimate and essential job so please don't try to imply that they are all paid murderers- you are the sort of person that is destroying this country piece by piece, little by little.

No I'm not, don't be ridiculous.
.
I'm from a forces family, and I understand the issues very well. It is an illegal war, but I don't condemn the troops for doing as they are ordered.
.
Nonetheless, they take a pay cheque in return for killing people. You can't deny this, it's what defines a soldier as opposed to an NGO volunteer for instance.
.
Why should I turn out and cheer them for doing so? Our Nurses and doctors are paid to save lives instead of taking them. Did you turn out to the hospital open day and express your admiration? Do they get parades?

Good Luck to you guys and thank you - Sorry I couldn't have been there - If I could have I would have

True heroes

Fin

Redback wrote:

bemused26 wrote:

Redback wrote:

The Grey Mystery wrote: I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Wow. This must be the first time I've ever agreed with you. . I'm not cheering for anyone who takes cash in exchange for killing people.

Redback- Are you one of those dim-wits who believe there should be no such thing as the Armed Forces? All memebers of the Armed Forces should be proud that they have the job they do. (I am not passing judgement on the war they are involved in, just the career choice) There is nothing whatsoever to be ashamed about in being a soldier. They have a perfectly legitimate and essential job so please don't try to imply that they are all paid murderers- you are the sort of person that is destroying this country piece by piece, little by little.

No I'm not, don't be ridiculous. . I'm from a forces family, and I understand the issues very well. It is an illegal war, but I don't condemn the troops for doing as they are ordered. . Nonetheless, they take a pay cheque in return for killing people. You can't deny this, it's what defines a soldier as opposed to an NGO volunteer for instance. . Why should I turn out and cheer them for doing so? Our Nurses and doctors are paid to save lives instead of taking them. Did you turn out to the hospital open day and express your admiration? Do they get parades?

I would have gone to the hospital and supported them but they didn’t invite me. Everyone has said the last wars we have fought have been illegal. Those sat in their arm chairs can easily condemn the legality of wars and those who took part in them Redback. I wonder how many of the Jewish inmates at Auschwitz, the survivors of Saddam Hussein’s gas attacks, and the victims of Slobadan’s ethnic cleansing were put off by the soldiers who liberated them because “they take cash in exchange for killing people” – “Sorry, I don’t agree with you helping me”. There were plenty of people at home during these conflicts that cited that these wars were illegal, Britain had no right to take part in them. The thousands who survived these horrors will ever be indebted to the bravery of the few brave enough to join the forces. Remember, the forces don’t just “kill people for cash”. I remember they helped in the after effects of the Tsunami and other natural disasters that have happened during our time – it’s not just about killing it’s about hearts and minds.

All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

leightonalexander wrote:

Redback wrote:

bemused26 wrote:

Redback wrote:

The Grey Mystery wrote: I am entitled to my view echo because I fought for my freedom many years ago,so you can delete my post again if it doesnt suit you but I will still have my view,these people are just doing their job,they are not doing it well as they have won NOTHING,and will win Nothing ,people will get carried away with the day and say how great it was,I wonder if they will be so patriotic when the truth comes out about why we got involved in 2 wars we had no right to be part of

Wow. This must be the first time I've ever agreed with you. . I'm not cheering for anyone who takes cash in exchange for killing people.

Redback- Are you one of those dim-wits who believe there should be no such thing as the Armed Forces? All memebers of the Armed Forces should be proud that they have the job they do. (I am not passing judgement on the war they are involved in, just the career choice) There is nothing whatsoever to be ashamed about in being a soldier. They have a perfectly legitimate and essential job so please don't try to imply that they are all paid murderers- you are the sort of person that is destroying this country piece by piece, little by little.

No I'm not, don't be ridiculous. . I'm from a forces family, and I understand the issues very well. It is an illegal war, but I don't condemn the troops for doing as they are ordered. . Nonetheless, they take a pay cheque in return for killing people. You can't deny this, it's what defines a soldier as opposed to an NGO volunteer for instance. . Why should I turn out and cheer them for doing so? Our Nurses and doctors are paid to save lives instead of taking them. Did you turn out to the hospital open day and express your admiration? Do they get parades?

I would have gone to the hospital and supported them but they didn’t invite me. Everyone has said the last wars we have fought have been illegal. Those sat in their arm chairs can easily condemn the legality of wars and those who took part in them Redback. I wonder how many of the Jewish inmates at Auschwitz, the survivors of Saddam Hussein’s gas attacks, and the victims of Slobadan’s ethnic cleansing were put off by the soldiers who liberated them because “they take cash in exchange for killing people” – “Sorry, I don’t agree with you helping me”. There were plenty of people at home during these conflicts that cited that these wars were illegal, Britain had no right to take part in them. The thousands who survived these horrors will ever be indebted to the bravery of the few brave enough to join the forces. Remember, the forces don’t just “kill people for cash”. I remember they helped in the after effects of the Tsunami and other natural disasters that have happened during our time – it’s not just about killing it’s about hearts and minds. All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

Sorry I forgot. The Anti-war people and the politicians didn’t want us to help in Bosnia. We didn’t until 200,000 had died in the genocide and finally we lost face after saying “Never Again!” in 1945. Look what happened due to our inaction and not intervening because that was and illegal war – which we even then called a conflict to appease anti-war supports and politicians.

Redback- You are an idiot!!!!! Youre from a forces family so you openly admit your family is full of these so called payed murderers????? Its people like you that make this country as difficult as it is today!!! Were not paid murderers, We are employed as Soldiers with a trade!!!!!
How you can compare the Army with Murderers is beyond me. Do you notice something?? Youre the only one who thinks like this!! Im glad you didnt turn out today......You can sit at home on your own whining about the world but wouldnt be willing to get off your arse and do anything to help it. The city of Southampton today if anything came together to show there support for the Sons and Daughters,Mothers and Fathers, who inside are exactly the same as everyone else!!! You seriously have issues!!! Why dont you go out to Afghan or Iraq and stand in between both parties and try and stop the fighting. that way are guys can come home as I can guarantee at home with their families is where they would rather be. You are entitled to your opinion......So am I

Thought that might get a reaction on here. Not as bad as I was expecting to be honest!
.
Re being from a forces family - It's perfectly possible for civilized people to disagree with each other's choices without actually falling out about it.
.
Leightonalexander - No one was 'invited' to the hospital open day. It was an OPEN DAY. The clue's in the name.

Redback wrote:
Thought that might get a reaction on here. Not as bad as I was expecting to be honest! . Re being from a forces family - It's perfectly possible for civilized people to disagree with each other's choices without actually falling out about it. . Leightonalexander - No one was 'invited' to the hospital open day. It was an OPEN DAY. The clue's in the name.

Hahaha maybe if they advertised it - when was it? Did you go? Well I must have missed it - I've spent the last 6 months on deployment oversea's.

the march through southampton was brilliant i support our lads and girls and am very proud to support them only one little moan.... myself and a lot of other people put money in the buckets the soldiers were carrying thinking that the money was for help for heros not for children in need, should have had collections for both so we could decide who we donate our money too. anyway well done our troops everywhere.

Everyone is going to have their own opinions on the wars. But as a wife of one of those serving in Marchwood I was very proud of everyone yesterday. For those that dont agree with our lads being out there take it up with the government! Because i **** sure like many other families of serving men & women we would rather them be back in the UK too! Our boys are only doing their jobs - they dont take cheques to kill people that is just a very ignorant & narrow minded comment!