Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > Remembrance Sunday

[Crunchy]

When I was a kid I watched "All quiet on the western front" and was so affected I became fascinated by the people who fought in that and other wars. I used to look at old photo's for hours of the soldiers smiling at the photographer and wondering who survived. I used to think, how could they smile knowing that it could be their last day on earth. I was amazed at their bravery.

Then it was my turn. In December 90 I was sent to Iraq and I became one of those happy smiling soldiers preparing for the war. I was constantly reminded of my heroes of all the previous wars and drew great inspiration and strength from them. On the 23 Feb 91 we went over the border. For 3 days, with about 4 hours sleep we fought until Kuwait was free. I don't talk about it much but it was like being involved in an drunken orgy of power and death, were the hangover you have after, you never recover from.

I was watching "Saving Private Ryan" with a friend who has worked for HP most of his life and is a mellow person by nature. After about 10 mins into the movie he stood up and walked out saying things like; these people must have been stupid, how can they do it etc. After the initial anger had die down I realised how ignorant most civilians are as to the mindset of the soldier. Soldiers follow orders but mostly they don't want to let their country, their comrades and most of all themselves down. It takes a special person to be a soldier and I'm glad we still have a special day to remind us of that.

.....and I also happen to think that Birdsong is one of the best books I have ever read. I strongly recommend it