Kowabunga

Four British Soldiers Killed Enabling Afghan Election

Every day in Iraq and Afghanistan, soldiers in the Coalition that brought freedom to those two countries make the ultimate sacrifice for the country they serve and in defense of Liberty.

Today I read about the lost of four British soldiers who lost their lives during Operation Panther’s Claw, a campaign to prevent Taliban from interfering with, or intimidating voters, during the election. Although only 150 Afghans turned out for the election in Babaji, where these four young men fought and died, their mission should not be viewed as a failure, or their loss in vain. Tragic, yes. The loss of all these fine soldiers, whether British, American, Afghan, Iraqi, or any of the other nations that has sent their young into Harm’s Way is tragic.

Here in the United States, there are many organizations that raise money to help the troops, especially those wounded, and their families, especially those Gold Star Families. I don’t know if there are as many organizations dedicated to supporting the troops, and their families, of our various allies. I had previously asked my friend Michael, a retired British Major, about that, and he said that there isn’t; nothing like what the groups in the U.S. is doing. There is the Army Benevolent Fund and their sister organization, BABFA, but there must be more groups along the lines of Adopt a Platoon, Ranger Up, and so many others that exist here in the U.S. If anyone knows of any organizations in the U.K., or any of the other allied countries, doing things similar to Soldier’s Angels and other such groups, please leave a comment. I’d like hear about them and to link to them.

In 2008 I had the pleasure of partying with a group of British Soldiers who were on their way to Arizona for desert warfare training. I had a very nice bottle of Single Malt Scotch which was passed around these troops. And I enjoyed some great conversations with these fine soldiers. This was at a science fiction convention called MarsCon. It was a helluva good time.

Although these four fine soldiers of the United Kingdom are not named by the Times of London, my sincerest condolences go out to their families, and I salute their courage; and shed a tear in their memory. Rest well. You will be dearly missed by all those whose lives you have touched.

Please, read the article on Times Online. There is also a photo gallery.

Unfortunately, the Times headline about dying for only 150 votes sounds like they are denegrating the death of these soldiers.