Well, my late grandfather was in WW2, though as far as I'm aware he didn't actually do any fighting, he was a sailor in the Royal Navy and he could easily have ended up in a combat situation. My late uncle was a journalist who reported from various places around the world for British newspapers, including warzones. He was actually in Israel, or Palestine (not sure which), eating his breakfast at a cafe when some firefight started, and he was right in the middle of it. He was exceptionally lucky to get away without any wounds, let alone alive. Oh, for the record, both my relatives died peacefully at home or hospital, of illness rather than war. Just so's you know.
Anyway, I have the utmost respect for British troops, regardless of my feelings about the war. I disagree entirely with us being in Iraq and Afghanistan (thank you, Bush and Blair, you absolute retarded jackasses...). But I also realise that to pull out now would be more stupid, because the problems over there still need to be fixed (regardless of how they were caused in the first place). Removing troops would just be a sign of weakness and allow insurgents to win, effectively. We need to stay there at least for the time being to try and get those countries troops trained and ready to fight for themselves.
Anyway, regardless of my feelings on the war, I have nothing but admiration for the troops themselves, putting their lives on the line constantly because they care about their country and about defending this great nation. I went to Florida on holiday a few years ago, and at every theme park we went to, every event that happened, US soldiers and their families were given free or discount entry and made to feel really welcome. And you know what? This wasn't just US troops. The same courtesy extended to the troops and families of troops from the UK, Australia, and all the other Allied countries fighting together in warzones like Iraq and Afghanistan. And those troops, al the Allies, were always thanked and singled out for praise everywhere (they had a special thing at Seaworld in the Shamu show specifically giving thanks to Allied troops, both US forces and others). You never see anything like that in the UK, the most anyone ever does as a sign of respect to our troops is when people line the streets in Wooten Basset when they bring the bodies of fallen soldiers home. And that's only the locals, and families and friends of the dead, who ever do that (well, I guess there may be a rare few exceptions...).
No-one in this country seems to care anymore about our troops, and it's not because they don't agree with the soldiers themselves, but purely because they don't like the idea of the war or the government. That's just a completely stupid way of looking at things. A soldier does what he or she does for the love of serving their country. They don't have a say in where they're sent or what wars they fight in, they just have to follow orders. Does that mean that if they die in battle, they aren't worthy of our respect or time? No. That's just selfish of us. So I'm going to proudly wear my poppy to work tonight, and when I'm in town tomorrow, and when I'm watching the local rugby team play on Sunday I'll be standing in that stadium with a poppy adorning my shirt. Because whether I agree with the government or not, I certainly agree with the soldiers, and they are certainly most deserving of our respect.
