From Helmand province, a truly uplifting Christmas message in the midst of mourning

The Daily Mail (U.K.) ^ | December 21, 2008 | The Rev David Wylie

[Stoat]

Midnight in the middle of enemy territory in Afghanistan. Today we have repatriated four Royal Marines and one commando-trained Royal Artillery officer – all killed in action – to their loved ones.

The best eulogies always come from the lads themselves and they are not always repeatable in polite conversation. But today’s were awesome. Some had known the dead men since they were boys, and the humour was rich and the respect profound.

Sadly, while we were praying for their souls, another of our task force, a rifleman, was killed.
 

As I write, we are sitting in the back of a truck, just waiting for mortars or rockets to start landing. It’s a strange feeling. There is nothing you can do in such circumstances except exchange the dark humour that only those who share such fears can truly understand. Random thoughts abound. A voice in the blackness asks: ‘So would you rather lose a leg or an arm?’

[Stoat]

My apologies for the severe editing of this article....this was done in order to remain in compliance with Free Republic posting rules pertaining to the Daily Mail.  Please click on the main article link to read the full story.

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The Rev David Wylie in Afghanistan, where he and thousands of British troops will spend Christmas this year

 

The body of Sergeant John Manuel of 45 Commando Royal Marines is repatriated at RAF Lyneham, Wiltshire. He was killed by a child suicide bomber in Afghanistan

 

British soldiers celebrating Christmas in Afghanistan in 2004

[Stoat]

[Northern Yankee]

God bless these lads and all who are serving in these countries.

Thanks!

[Guenevere]

God bless....

(I haven't heard this before 'a child suicide bomber')?????)

Are they strapping bombs on little kids now?

[Mercia]

The Taliban blew up the Christmas turkeys destined for the British troops in Camp Bastion.

So the RAF flew in replacements...

A word of note here that those soldiers from all the NATO countries, serving in the FOB’s, wont be having a Christmas dinner. All they can expect is a fight. Thoughts to them.

Good article Stoat, thanks.

[Mercia]

I thought that this last message from the RN Padre was worth posting. From the article;

“In this, our stripped-down Afghan Christmas, it is humbling to see how our guys draw strength and determination from their fallen comrades.

Earlier today, I watched informally after the memorial service and saw the numbness of life and death become warmed by deep thought, jokes, respect and smiles.

For us, this year will bring a thoughtful Christmas celebration, full of quiet compassion, respect for others and a deep understanding of the power of life and death.

From Helmand, Merry Christmas. And may your eyebrows stay with you.”

[BruceysMom]

Well, that’s so much more expedient. Why sacrifice them to Moloch in the womb, when you can use them to kill infidels later on? Much more efficient. I’m going to throw up now.:>(

[Stoat]

God bless these lads and all who are serving in these countries.

Indeed, may God ensure their safety as well as their victory.

Thanks!

You're quite welcome  :-)  I'm delighted that you've found the article to be worthwhile.

God bless these lads and all who are serving in these countries.

Indeed, may God ensure their safety as well as their victory.

Thanks!

You're quite welcome  :-)  I'm delighted that you've found the article to be worthwhile.

[Stoat]

(I haven't heard this before 'a child suicide bomber')?????)

Are they strapping bombs on little kids now?

Sadly, this has been going on for awhile now.  If you go to the 'image search' tab of your favorite search provider and search with keyword phrases such as 'child jihadists' , 'child suicide bombers', etc.  you'll be presented with a truckload of profoundly disturbing images.  We are fighting an evil, a TRUE evil, never before seen on this scale.  In WW2, the Nazis started drafting children and old men....essentially anyone who could walk and hold a weapon....only toward the latter stages of the war when the regular troops' numbers had been decimated and things were desperate for them.  The islamofascists, on the other hand, have been doing this nearly from the outset as I recall.  I remember seeing photos of child jihadists and suicide bombers in the Iraq / Afghanistan theater shortly after 9 / 11, and in fact I recall photos of Palestinian child suicide bombers being used against Israel long before that.  That is a big factor in what makes this enemy such a difficult one to vanquish....they don't care whether their women or children die and in fact they celebrate it. 

(I haven't heard this before 'a child suicide bomber')?????)

Are they strapping bombs on little kids now?

[Stoat]

The Taliban blew up the Christmas turkeys destined for the British troops in Camp Bastion.

So the RAF flew in replacements...

I seem to recall reading about that...congratulations to the RAF and all concerned for a fine job.  Considering how very frequently we hear of Islamofascists specifically hitting targets on and around Christmastime, with the Day fully in mind, it makes me particularly ill when I hear our own political 'leaders' being ever so very careful to avoid any possible action on Ramadan, for fear of causing "insult" to muslims.  I heard that a lot from Clinton as well as President Bush.  It reminds me that many here in the West still do not take this war seriously.

A word of note here that those soldiers from all the NATO countries, serving in the FOB’s, wont be having a Christmas dinner. All they can expect is a fight. Thoughts to them.

And Prayers as well.  Hopefully they will all survive to celebrate a hundred future Christmas dinners with their families and friends, all knowing that they did what absolutely had to be done in order to be able to keep celebrating Christmas dinners as well as every other Western tradition.

Good article Stoat, thanks.

You're quite welcome and I'm delighted that you've found it to be worthwhile  :-)

The Taliban blew up the Christmas turkeys destined for the British troops in Camp Bastion.

So the RAF flew in replacements...

I seem to recall reading about that...congratulations to the RAF and all concerned for a fine job.  Considering how very frequently we hear of Islamofascists specifically hitting targets on and around Christmastime, with the Day fully in mind, it makes me particularly ill when I hear our own political 'leaders' being ever so very careful to avoid any possible action on Ramadan, for fear of causing "insult" to muslims.  I heard that a lot from Clinton as well as President Bush.  It reminds me that many here in the West still do not take this war seriously.

A word of note here that those soldiers from all the NATO countries, serving in the FOB’s, wont be having a Christmas dinner. All they can expect is a fight. Thoughts to them.

And Prayers as well.  Hopefully they will all survive to celebrate a hundred future Christmas dinners with their families and friends, all knowing that they did what absolutely had to be done in order to be able to keep celebrating Christmas dinners as well as every other Western tradition.

Good article Stoat, thanks.

[Stoat]

I thought that this last message from the RN Padre was worth posting

Indeed his words were quite touching, thank you for that.