What a way to treat a heroine: Royal Navy girl who fought in Afghanistan told to cover up uniform

http://www.dailymail.co.uk ^ | march 8, 2013 | Ian Drury

[lowbridge]

For 15 years she has proudly served her country as a Royal Navy engineer, risking her life in Afghanistan when she fought against the Taliban.

But far from showing Nicky Howse the respect she deserved as she flew back to her latest posting, Virgin Atlantic staff chose to humiliate her – by demanding that she remove her uniform because it was ‘offensive’.

They warned the 32-year-old helicopter technician she would not be allowed to fly unless she took off her combat fatigues and wore a sleep suit instead.

-snip

She was confronted by a G4S security guard and Virgin Atlantic staff, who ordered her to change into pyjamas before boarding the jet.

They told her – wrongly – that it was the company’s policy not to allow military personnel to travel in uniform.

In emails sent to a civilian friend, Petty Officer Howse, from Ipswich, Suffolk, said: ‘It was horrific. I was made to feel uncomfortable in my own country for wearing the uniform I wear to defend the place. It made me ashamed of my country that a British serviceman can’t travel in uniform. I was so distressed.’

[lowbridge]

Full title: What a way to treat a heroine: Royal Navy girl who fought in Afghanistan told to cover up uniform on Virgin flight in case it offended other passengers

[Da Coyote]

I’ve always thought Virgin Atlantic (dorky name) had to be run by someone with more money than brains (think Kennedys, Soros, Bloomberg, Pelosiwench, Boxerwench, Feinsteinwench, etc).

This proves it, and strengthens my conviction to nevah fly this airline evah!!

[dblshot]

Once gave my company paid first class seat to an American Solider in BDUs on Continental. I asked the flight attendant if we could trade seats and she said oh yes, that would be wonderful, and don't worry, we'll see to it that you get your free drinks in coach. So I sit down in coach and this woman asks me if I just gave my seat to that solider and said yes, no big deal, I am retired military myself, happy to do it. She said, I insist, let me buy you a drink, I have these free drink coupons anyway. So I said sure. Well she is with a tour group, all of who apparently have free drink coupons. So I have Sky bottles lined up all the way across my lap tray when here comes the first class flight attendant with two tumblers full of ice and Sky. The things we do for our country!

[Jimmy Valentine]

“Well it’s Tommy this, and Tommy that, and turn him out the brute. But it’s ‘saviour of our country’ when the guns begin to shoot.” - Kipling

[JimRed]

Offended other passengers? Tell the offended ones to take it up with her; she’ll set ‘em straight!

[bert]

Now it is not good for the Christian’s health to hustle the Arian Brown,
For the Christian riles, and the Arian smiles, and it weareth the Christian down;
And the end of the fight is a tombstone white with the name of the late deceased,
And the epitath drear:”A fool lies here who tried to Hustle the East.”

Rudyard Kipling

[Jimmy Valentine]

Nice. There's this one too"

Take up the white mans burden, the savage wars of peace.

Fill full the mouth of famine and bid the sickness cease.

And when your goal is nearest, your hope for others sought,

Watch sloth and heathen folly bring all your works to naught."

[TalonDJ]

In a thousand years Kipling will still be spot on.

[IYAS9YAS]

“Well it’s Tommy this, and Tommy that, and turn him out the brute. But it’s ‘saviour of our country’ when the guns begin to shoot.” - Kipling

This poem is one of the few things I have in my little 8x8 cubicle. The others are the pictures that remind me why I work in my little 8x8 cubicle.