From Gary Howlett.
HOW it puts our world in perspective. I walked down King Street yesterday to be confronted with soldiers collecting money for heroes.
confess I didn’t stop to ask what exactly they were collecting for, whether it was for the benefit of soldiers injured in battle, or to help support even themselves, so shame on me. It matters not. Both would be very worthy causes, so I felt honoured to make a donation.
It’s really sad that we live in a world where the people who defend us from attack, and probably from being attacked by threats that we as citizens don’t even realise exist, have to go cap in hand in shopping centres to survive. How smug are we in our pinstripe suits, eh?
The thing that struck me and made me feel humble was their attitude. They were laughing and joking with the crowd and were obviously proud to wear even their fatigues. I think we have a tendency to forget that these people would defend our Island as well as the UK.
We live in a world rife with terrorist threats and countries that would make war with us if they had the slightest chance, I’m sure. I imagine there is one thing that keeps those threats at bay, though, and that is the men and women soldiers that were on our very streets.
When I sit in my office and see on the TV that another four British soldiers have died in Afghanistan, it makes me realise that these people put their lives at risk so that we can enjoy our lives in relative safety.
So, whatever they were collecting for, spend £5 less this week on snacks that we really don’t need and support them instead. Shame on the powers that be who shout to the world that they are so righteous, but expect their defenders to live in near poverty. And for my part, the next time I see them, I won’t just make a donation, I will stop and thank them.
4 Woodlands Farm,
Rue de Maupertuis,
St Helier.
