Discussion
Probably been done to death here but I've just watched the Cenotaph march-past as I do every year and can't help feeling sad that many of the Veterans with chests full of medals earnt defending our country will have one day of this exposure and then return to their cold, empty flats and then have to worry about how they will pay their next gas bill, or whether they'll be off to the supermarket this week or next.
IMO these heroes shouldn't have to pay for any of these mundane costs in view of what they were prepared to do for future generations.
And yes, if it means putting a penny on my income tax then do it (though I suspect that there is plenty that can be taken from other so called "worthy causes" to pay with ease).
IMO these heroes shouldn't have to pay for any of these mundane costs in view of what they were prepared to do for future generations.
And yes, if it means putting a penny on my income tax then do it (though I suspect that there is plenty that can be taken from other so called "worthy causes" to pay with ease).
Saddle bum said:
motco said:
I agree. Did anyone notice that during the march past of the veterans, the police grabbed a man from the line and bundled him away? He was wearing a rucksack - maybe relevant?
Yes, spotted that. Keep an eye on reports to see if it crops up.paoloh said:
Saddle bum said:
motco said:
I agree. Did anyone notice that during the march past of the veterans, the police grabbed a man from the line and bundled him away? He was wearing a rucksack - maybe relevant?
Yes, spotted that. Keep an eye on reports to see if it crops up.Nolar Dog said:
paoloh said:
Makes me sad every year. I also seem to think about it a lot at Christmas
Just think about it or do something about it?We wanted it to be more personal.
Captain Volvo said:
Probably been done to death here but I've just watched the Cenotaph march-past as I do every year and can't help feeling sad that many of the Veterans with chests full of medals earnt defending our country will have one day of this exposure and then return to their cold, empty flats and then have to worry about how they will pay their next gas bill, or whether they'll be off to the supermarket this week or next.
IMO these heroes shouldn't have to pay for any of these mundane costs in view of what they were prepared to do for future generations.
And yes, if it means putting a penny on my income tax then do it (though I suspect that there is plenty that can be taken from other so called "worthy causes" to pay with ease).
You're making rather a lot of assumptions aren't you? Do you have evidence that many of them live in cold, empty flats?IMO these heroes shouldn't have to pay for any of these mundane costs in view of what they were prepared to do for future generations.
And yes, if it means putting a penny on my income tax then do it (though I suspect that there is plenty that can be taken from other so called "worthy causes" to pay with ease).
Puff Puff said:
You're making rather a lot of assumptions aren't you? Do you have evidence that many of them live in cold, empty flats?
The same assumptions are often made about pensioners too, but most pensioners are quite comfortable, affluent even.That's not to detract from what the OP said though, as obviously he didn't mean Phil.
cazzer said:
paoloh said:
Saddle bum said:
motco said:
I agree. Did anyone notice that during the march past of the veterans, the police grabbed a man from the line and bundled him away? He was wearing a rucksack - maybe relevant?
Yes, spotted that. Keep an eye on reports to see if it crops up.Captain Volvo said:
Probably been done to death here but I've just watched the Cenotaph march-past as I do every year and can't help feeling sad that many of the Veterans with chests full of medals earnt defending our country will have one day of this exposure and then return to their cold, empty flats and then have to worry about how they will pay their next gas bill, or whether they'll be off to the supermarket this week or next.
IMO these heroes shouldn't have to pay for any of these mundane costs in view of what they were prepared to do for future generations.
And yes, if it means putting a penny on my income tax then do it (though I suspect that there is plenty that can be taken from other so called "worthy causes" to pay with ease).
My father served in WW2. He didn't go to the Cenotaph this year but he has in previous years. He lives in a flat, a very warm flat, he worries about where to take his next cruise, struggles to fit his 07 reg Jag into the garage.... IMO these heroes shouldn't have to pay for any of these mundane costs in view of what they were prepared to do for future generations.
And yes, if it means putting a penny on my income tax then do it (though I suspect that there is plenty that can be taken from other so called "worthy causes" to pay with ease).
Meanwhile he would be the first to say that his time in the Navy was one of the best parts of his life. He went from a cold austere wartime Britain to the Far East, saw Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Shanghai.
I'm not trying to belittle the fact that some pensioners do live in financial hardship or that some servicemen did have an appalling time during various wars. But don't generalise.
Edited by siscar on Sunday 9th November 17:05
There was a local news item on TV the other night-about a WW2 ex para who had been wounded while serving-our Govt giving him a hard time about his pension-to the extent that he was reduced to rattling a tin in the street while wearing his old battledress...I found it really moving and probably says a lot about where we are as a nation-remember reading something years ago about how a civilisation can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable.These guys-and the others that have followed them in service-really should not have to worry about keeping the haeting on and paying basic bills.Just my two bobs worth.
Steve
Steve
stevedrummie said:
There was a local news item on TV the other night-about a WW2 ex para who had been wounded while serving-our Govt giving him a hard time about his pension-to the extent that he was reduced to rattling a tin in the street while wearing his old battledress...I found it really moving and probably says a lot about where we are as a nation-remember reading something years ago about how a civilisation can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable.These guys-and the others that have followed them in service-really should not have to worry about keeping the haeting on and paying basic bills.Just my two bobs worth.
Steve
Isn't there something ridiculous like 10m 'veterans' in the country. If the govt where to look after every single one of them can you begin to imagine the cost? Leaving aside the WW veterans how could there possibly be a fair system to enable the right people to get the right help.Steve
I myself will be classed as a 'veteran' in the future but sitting here right now I don't think and hope I won't be scrounging for money for what ultimately I have volunteered for.
I do agree tho that it is disgusting a WW veteran would have to resort to begging in the streets and indeed any pensioner.
Up until 1960 nearly every eligible male served under the National Service system so there must be millions of "veterans" still - many never having set foot in a danger zone but many who have. That means, of course, from the late 1930s to 1960 very few who served were "volunteers".
Maybe there should be a different system for looking after those who were "called up" and had no choice in serving compared to those who had voluntered?
I'm not saying there should but there is a difference in those who were compelled by law to serve their country and those who made it a career choice.
Maybe there should be a different system for looking after those who were "called up" and had no choice in serving compared to those who had voluntered?
I'm not saying there should but there is a difference in those who were compelled by law to serve their country and those who made it a career choice.
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