Offord Falklands vistt : Time for Offord to do something useful

Our local MP, Matthew Offord has been on military manouvres in the Falklands.


http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/topstories/9040437.Hendon_MP_visits_Falkland_Islands_to_experience_military_life/

Apparently he took part in a "firing exercise" and visited a minefield (sounds like he'd be quite at home, given his time at Barnet Council). Matthew said :-

"For many years I believe the Armed Forces were neglected by the Government and I am pleased that is now being addressed.” 

I quite agree with Matthew, but he has rather missed the point. He said nothing about the biggest scandal of all regarding the Falklands campaign. Did you know that more British servicemen, who took part in the campaign, have committed suicide since leaving the forces, than were killed by the Argentinians? Unlike the USA, where there is a huge veterans program, we throw our servicemen on the scrapheap when they leave the forces. Many soldiers suffered huge mental scars following their experiences.Many have suffered nervous breakdown, homelessness, alcoholism and unemployment.

Whilst I hope Matthew enjoyed playing soldiers in the Falklands, the real issue regarding the "military covenenant" is here in the UK, on the streets of our big cities. It is the men with broken lives struggling to cope, following their experiences on the battlefields of the Falklands, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. Politicians love to be photo'd in military uniforms, alongside hardware and in glamarous locations. Sadly the arm of the military which most needs them is the invisible arm. The men who've left and are at a loss to cope with civilian life. Matthew doesn't need to travel 6,000 miles to meet these people. They are on the streets of our city. Organisations such as the Royal British Legion and "Help for Heroes" support them (often because the government has neglected it's responsibilities). Wilfred Owen (pictured left), was the greatest First World War poet. His words, for the first time gave us an insight into the stress of being a serving soldier in a warzone. Although the equipment we fight wars with have changed, the stresses have not. I spoke to a friend who was a Falklands vet and he told me that he thought no one should sit in parliament and vote on sending men to wars, if they don't know the poetry of Owen by heart. Owen wrote this poem "Disabled" just under one hundred years ago. It is sickening that it is relevant today

Disabled

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He sat in a wheeled chair, waiting for dark, And shivered in his ghastly suit of grey, Legless, sewn short at elbow. Through the park Voices of boys rang saddening like a hymn, Voices of play and pleasure after day, Till gathering sleep had mothered them from him. About this time Town used to swing so gay When glow-lamps budded in the light blue trees, And girls glanced lovelier as the air grew dim,- In the old times, before he threw away his knees. Now he will never feel again how slim Girls' waists are, or how warm their subtle hands. All of them touch him like some queer disease. There was an artist silly for his face, For it was younger than his youth, last year. Now, he is old; his back will never brace; He's lost his colour very far from here, Poured it down shell-holes till the veins ran dry, And half his lifetime lapsed in the hot race And leap of purple spurted from his thigh. One time he liked a blood-smear down his leg, After the matches, carried shoulder-high. It was after football, when he'd drunk a peg, He thought he'd better join. - He wonders why. Someone had said he'd look a god in kilts, That's why; and maybe, too, to please his Meg, Aye, that was it, to please the giddy jilts He asked to join. He didn't have to beg; Smiling they wrote his lie: aged nineteen years. Germans he scarcely thought of; all their guilt, And Austria's, did not move him. And no fears Of Fear came yet. He drought of jewelled hills For daggers in plaid socks; of smart salutes; And care of arms; and leave; and pay arrears; Esprit de corps; and hints for young recruits. And soon, he was drafted out with drums and cheers. Some cheered him home, but not as crowds cheer Goal. Only a solemn man who brought him fruits Thanked him; and then enquired about his soul. Now, he will spend a few sick years in institutes, And do what things the rules consider wise, And take whatever pity they may dole. Tonight he noticed how the women's eyes Passed from him to the strong men that were whole. How cold and late it is! Why don't they come And put him into bed? Why don't they come?

At my studios, we have a Help for Heroes collection permenantly running in reception and we sell poppies in November. Politicians such as Matthew Offord MP can do far more. They can change the way we treat our servicemen, so that they don't end up depressed, having breakdowns, on the streets and committing suicide. Every single person in this country today has a debt to the servicemen and women, past and present who have served us and protected us. I believe it's time we started paying that debt. I hope Matthew Offord MP does as well and starts to actually do something useful about it