Honouring Servicemen

I was struck by General Sr Richard Dannatt's comments that the British public are treating servicemen with indifference.  As it happens, I live in an area that has a lot of US military families; two of my immediate neighbours serve in the army.  My 6-year old daughter says, "Thank you for keeping us safe," whenever she sees a man or woman in uniform.  That is a manifestation of the military covenant Sir Richard tells us about.

It seems to me important that military personnel should wear their uniforms around and about the places where they live.  It reinforces the idea that soldiers and sailors, marines and airmen alike are part of the local community, men and women just like the rest of us.  When you see a person in combat fatigues standing in a queue at the supermarket (or "in line at a grocery store" as we say over here), there can be no animosity, no resentment of the job they do, unless you are a very twisted individual.

You don't see that in the UK, of course.  From what I recall, UK servicemen were forbidden to wear uniforms in public during the height of the IRA terror campaign, on the grounds that it identified them as legitimate targets.

If Sir Richard is serious, one thing he could do is to ask the MOD to revisit those rules.  The current terrorist enemy we face cares not for any distinction between military and civilian target, as they have shown on many occasions.  It would strengthen the position of servicemen in British society if people saw them around more.  If they wear the Queen's uniform with pride, it should also enable the public to take pride when they see it.

Iain Murray

Comments

[Steevo]

This is to the shame of the UK. And to the extent it happens in America, to the shame of America. Speaking as an American I say its fortunate our troops' moral has not been demoralized. I've wondered how we could produce such honorable and committed young men and woman. The UK has also produced such personnel but I have read many of their comments concerned about the indifference and lack of understanding from their fellow countrymen and I don't blame them.

Much of the blame can be placed on the media. As a senior a few years ago on the HMS Ark Royal said, "The BBC always takes the Iraqis' [insurgents] side. It reports what they say as gospel but when it comes to us it questions and doubts everything the British and Americans are reporting. A lot of people on board are very unhappy." Witnessing this kind of 'reporting' by your own countrymen day and night, for years, can take its toll abroad and at home. The British media and... much of the American have been relentless. Americans never would've 'stayed the course' in WWII, at least in Europe, if the same angle of emphasis reporting events was status quo. We could never drop a bomb or risk shooting an innocent.

But still, this is media practice in open society and the public at large are not exonerated in our day of quick access to alternative information. In the UK this has been a matter of taking a side, a willing point of view affecting not only the nature and judgment of the war but for too many... the integrity and honor of her most faithful in uniform. Regardless of the extent of guilt on high with media elite, the public still make a choice. When you're sent by your duly elected officials for service and after fulfilling such commitment, in harm's way, cannot be assured to come home to your own community and be properly received, it speaks to the dishonor of those citizens.

[Samuel Coates]

Spot on suggestion about the uniforms Iain, I was discussing it this weekend with people in the army and there I can't see any strong arguments against it.

[Ken Stevens]

Encourage the wearing of uniforms and outlaw discrimination against those in uniform (e.g. in pubs & shops). A further element of such an offence could be something along the lines of holding the Crown in contempt.

I know we've got lots of anti-discrimination laws already but, what the heck, there must be some room left for a worthwhile one!

[Andy]

A lot of it is down to our media, especially the BBC. I recently fired off a shirty letter to my MP Anne Moffat complaining that troops risking life & limb in war-torn countries are treated indifferently in this country.

I am grateful for the existence of blogs like this, BBC journalists always seem to have something up their sleeve, getting in the way of fair reporting.

Having said the above, the internet age will surely see the BBC lose out in the battle for eyeballs as increasing numbers realize that alternative sources of quality (and free!) information are a click away...

[Andy]

A lot of it is down to our media, especially the BBC. I recently fired off a shirty letter to my MP Anne Moffat complaining that troops risking life & limb in war-torn countries are treated indifferently in this country.

I am grateful for the existence of blogs like this, BBC journalists always seem to have something up their sleeve, getting in the way of fair reporting.

Having said the above, the internet age will surely see the BBC lose out in the battle for eyeballs as increasing numbers realize that alternative sources of quality (and free!) information are a click away...

[Frogg, USA]

I always make a point when I see a soldier in uniform to "thank him". I simply say "thank you for all that you do for your country". In the US, the troops are treated very well. Last year I was returning from a vacation by air and at the end of the flight they announced that three soldiers on leave from Iraq would be exiting the plane first. As they stood up to get their luggage the entire plane went into applause and hoots of "thank you" and chants of support.

I hope the UK gives their own soldiers the same support. They trully deserve it.