Gransnet forums

News & politics

Heart-rending news

(39 Posts)
grannyactivist Tue 22-Dec-15 15:31:30

I write with tears of grief and frustration.

This time six years ago I spent Christmas with my very pregnant daughter and her husband. They were so excited at the prospect of their son being born and looking forward to becoming a family. It was a very happy Christmas, only slightly overshadowed by the prospect of my son in law's upcoming tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Tomorrow I shall be visiting my son in law's grave as he was one of the many young men who came home from Sangin in a coffin. Today I cannot describe how devastated I am to read of current events in Sangin, which is once again overrun by the taliban.

"The Taliban have captured the police headquarters, the governor's office as well as the intelligence agency building in Sangin," deputy Helmand governor Mohammad Jan Rasoolyar told AFP.

"Fighting is escalating in the district."

General Lord Richards of Herstmonceux, former Chief of the Defence Staff and top Nato commander in Nato commander in Afghanistan, told The Times that Britain and its allies should be prepared to increase the number of support troops in the country if needed.

NO and NO and NO and NO!!!! I hate that the good that was achieved, in a war I didn't believe in, has gone to waste; today it literally makes me weep - but it is madness to send in more troops.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/12063421/SAS-fighting-to-stop-Taliban-overrunning-Sangin.html

westieyaya Wed 23-Dec-15 11:36:13

& Many times NO. When will Great Britain take on the lessons of history and realise that we can never win in Afghanistan. I have an ulterior motive this year as my daughter and her services husband are expecting their first baby and heaven forbid that he gets sent there.

Candelle Wed 23-Dec-15 12:10:10

So sorry to read your post. This latest news must be like a knife in your hearts, opening the wound.

Could you focus on your daughter and grandson and think that your son-in-law died helping a terrible situation? Easy for me to write, I know.

The problems in Afghanistan are likely to be on-going for many years to come as there is no quick fix and as Deedaa said, the Russians, with all their resources, failed to beat the Taliban.

Please try to be re-assured as our troops will not be actively fighting but in an advisory role so hopefully they will be in less danger.

Don't let this news win over the good things that you do and experience, otherwise 'they' will have won.

mrshat Wed 23-Dec-15 12:29:52

Grannyactivist flowers Words fail me.

cikada Wed 23-Dec-15 12:30:20

There are so many natural disasters in the world that definitely take care of overpopulation, why do we have to add to it by killing each other?? Something I shall never understand.

All I can do is send you my hugs and hope that the excitement of your little grandson will help to bring some light to your Christmas as well.

Sillynanny65 Wed 23-Dec-15 13:00:22

Grannyactivist my heart goes out to you, and your daughter. I cannot begin to understand what your family has gone through. All I can say is I fear for our children and grandchildren as to what sort of world awaits them. You will be in my prayers when I go to midnight mass tomorrow. God Bless you and your family.

AlieOxon Wed 23-Dec-15 13:09:15

Grannyactivist flowers

GrandmaH Wed 23-Dec-15 13:22:13

If the responses to this thread are typical of the view of the British public- & I am sure they are- WHY does HM Gov. believe they would get the support of the people for more involvement in this war that is nothing to do with us at all.They should read sites like this to see how people are really feeling. If they had taken notice of what the people thought we would not have lost so many of our lads in the first place.
I grieve for you & your family Grannyactivist

hulahoop Wed 23-Dec-15 15:00:06

Author I know how you feel my son was in Iraq I had mastectomy last year in fact I've just said to hubby can't remember last Xmas last year I was on chemo he was recovering for bowel surg . My dil is waiting to have test for genetic gene lots of the big C in her family hope all goes well for your girls and I wonder why we are sending more of our lads I agree with deedaa they should learn from the Russians best wishes x

witchygran Wed 23-Dec-15 17:59:40

grannyactivist I am so very sorry for you and your daughter and for the families of all those brave men who went to do their duty in a war they should never have been sent to. Also for those whose lives will have been changed for ever by their injuries. (For every soldier killed, there were many others badly wounded.) My main charity at Christmas is Help for Heroes, who do so much for those who will need them for many years to come. Please god our soldiers will only go in an advisory capacity this time.

Iam64 Wed 23-Dec-15 21:37:42

I thought of your family and others whose loved ones were killedvorninjuredcin Afghanistan when listening to the news. Did anyone heard the interview on radio four with a former senior army officer who talked about local,people wrecking the taliban. He said they provided stabilty in areas where the Afghan police and army who'd been put in place but the British were 'corrupt, drug addicted child abusers'.
Sending love to you and your family grannyactivist.

hummingbird Thu 24-Dec-15 01:07:13

Beyond words, GA. kind thoughts and hugs flowers

absent Thu 24-Dec-15 04:24:11

It's wrong; it's a horror – and it is individuals and families who suffer. It was always a pointless war and I suspect that many of the military involved knew that but had no choice – even Rumsfeld and Cheney didn't want it (not for ethical, but for political reasons). I remain angry at the politicians who decide these campaigns but whose concern is nothing other than re-election and personal glory.

harrigran Thu 24-Dec-15 06:09:59

grannyactivist flowers