Military news & tribute thread

Australia lost another son this week. 21 year old Corporal Matthew Hopkins who just weeks ago became a father for the first time to a baby son, was killed in Afghanistan by insurgents.

The death of any soldier be it by his/her own hand, or in engaging the enemy, is tragic and devastating. The culture of the military is such that these young people are too afraid to speak up and are fearful of reprimand and retribution. This culture has existed pretty much forever and despite the propaganda espoused by the military that there's a zero tolerance of things such as bullying, harrassment, bastardisation etc ... not so! It still prevails and this is part of the reason we have young people seeing no way out other than to kill themselves. It makes my blood boil! Saddens me beyond belief.

We can do our little bit to be supportive by becoming involved in the groups which write letters and send packages to the soldiers. I have a penfriend in New Hampshire who does this and she gets such joy from helping make a difference in the lives of those brave men and women serving. The recipients feel cared about and thought of. This is just one idea which comes to mind, and one which Elvish has already posted about.

I pray every day for all those serving and wearing the military uniform both here in Australia and our allies.

RIP Corporal Matthew Hopkins - Australian Army - 7RAR.

We have just lost yet another Australian son in Afghanistan! The second death this week! If you pray, please hold these two Australian men in your prayers.
This madness has to stop!

Army to Phase Out 'Stop-Loss' Practice

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates announced yesterday that the Army will phase out the unpopular practice of "stop-loss," which mandates that soldiers stay in the Army beyond their service obligation, over the next two years.
In the meantime, the Pentagon will offer extra pay to soldiers who continue to serve under the policy, Gates said….

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031802504.html

This "stop-Loss" reads like keeping hostages to me.
Has any politician ever been forced to stay longer in the job because the country deems he/she is needed?! I think not.
These servicemen and women join voluntarliy! For a set period of time. When that time is up, they have the right leave the defence force and venture forward in civilian life. They have met their commitment and obligations accordingly. To then force them into prolonged service amounts to a betrayal of the agreement. To my thinking, it's hostage taking plain and simple.

Until the other NATO countries step up and do their fair share, countries such as Australia and the US should not commit more troops. I hope President Obama does not ask our Prime Minister for more troops! Australia is a big country in size only! Numbers wise, we are comparatively small. Our troops are stretched as it is!

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/-/latest/...d-afghanistan/

AMEN to that!