Posted on 05/04/2011 4:04:27 PM PDT by naturalman1975
The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to wounded American service personnel, praising their positive outlook on life and "determination" to succeed despite their injuries.
He also highlighted how both the UK and US owed an "immense debt" to their armed forces who were prepared to risk their lives serving in Afghanistan.
The heir to the throne's words of support came during an event in Washington to celebrate the work of the British Forces Fund and America's United Service Organisations - two bodies which organise morale boosting entertainment for troops on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Prince is on a brief visit to the US and later today will call upon President Barack Obama at the White House for talks in the Oval Office.
Before visiting the president, the prince will a make a keynote speech at a conference on sustainable agriculture at Georgetown University.
Speaking earlier at the British Ambassador's residence, Charles told guests including senior US military figures and the Afghan and Iraq veterans: "As far as I'm concerned, nothing is too good for our servicemen and servicewomen.
"We owe them, I think, an immense debt... for what they do on our behalf.
"The fact they are prepared to go out there every day, every day when they know when they go outside their forward operating base, or whatever it is, they could very well step on an IED (improvised explosive device) or be shot, but they do it never the less."
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
The guy’s a dope on so many levels, but he has in the past been supportive of military men and women.
That was very nice and this military mom appreciates his kind words
There continues to be close ties between the armies of the United States and the United Kingdom. In late March I was on a 60 mile bike tour out of the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall, TX, which was a fundraiser for out wounded warriors. Before the start of the tour, both the Star Spangled Banner and God Save the Queen were played. Why the latter? It turned out some of the disabled soldiers participating were from the Royal Army, and undergoing rehab in Texas.
We may joke on this forum about the direction Britain appears to be heading, but their army is still made up of some good people.
Thank you very much for posting the nice article!
“The guy’s a dope on so many levels, but he has in the past been supportive of military men and women.”
Because he himself has been a military man.
Following in the tradition of Princes of Wales before him, Charles spent time in the navy and air force. After Royal Air Force training that he requested and received during his second year at Cambridge, on 8 March 1971 the Prince flew himself to the Royal Air Force College Cranwell to train as a jet pilot. After the passing out parade in September of that year, he then embarked on a naval career, enrolling in a six week course at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth and then serving on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk (1971–1972) and the frigates HMS Minerva (1972–1973) and HMS Jupiter (1974). Charles also qualified as a helicopter pilot at RNAS Yeovilton in 1974, just prior to joining 845 Naval Air Squadron, operating from HMS Hermes, and on 9 February 1976, the Prince took command of the coastal minehunter HMS Bronington for his last nine months in the navy. In total, Prince Charles has qualified to fly a Chipmunk basic pilot trainer, a Harrier T Mk.4 V/STOL fighter, a BAC Jet Provost jet pilot trainer, a Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft, a F-4 Phantom II fighter jet, an Avro Vulcan jet bomber, and a Spitfire classic WWII fighter.
As have most royal males. The difference is, he didn’t forget about the military once he did his service. Seems to me many of the royals put their time in and then couldn’t wait to distance themselves.
Facepalm...
While the Prince does have some odd views on some environmental issues, sustainable agriculture is pretty mainstream farming.
I was hoping he would skip talking to the fool presently taking up valuable space in the WH.
Unfortunately, that’s part of his job. He’s had to meet with all sorts of people on official trips over the years, if Her Majesty’s Government wants him to.
Well said, Prince Charles. Two sons of his own serving proudly as our Allies. Well said and a thank you to the Prince, the Royal family and the British troops.
His boys looked great last week, but my better half was commenting on their posture - a bit rounded in the shoulders for such handsome lads in uniform.
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