THE ABANDONED SOLDIER

[SYB]

Power To The People –
The Battle Of Trafalgar Square Ep 2/3
Unplaced Week commencing 19th May 2007
Day and time to be confirmed BBC TWO
www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo

Tim Samuels joins a "Platoon of Abandoned Soldiers", seemingly cast aside after fighting for Britain, to pull off one last daring mission. The Platoon aims to "invade" Trafalgar Square dressed in full military uniform and put up their own statue, right in front of Nelson's Column, to honour Britain's abandoned war heroes.

The Platoon includes soldiers with shocking tales of neglect: a Falklands amputee in agony, waiting months for an operation; a young soldier just back from Iraq, whose post-traumatic stress has been ignored; and a Gurkha forced to live on hand-outs.


The Platoon prepares for Trafalgar Square with a couple of smaller missions, including ambushing Harrods to test their policy of not allowing uniformed soldiers into the store, and a Gurkha travels deep into the Nepalese jungle to practise hunting down the Defence Minister who won't give them equal pensions.

The Battle Of Trafalgar Square is a deeply moving journey for many of the ex-Servicemen, all of whom are no longer prepared to suffer in silence.

[harry hackedoff]

Good effort Si, well done mate
Looks like you`ve really started something

[SYB]

Thanks H. It wasnt just me though!!

Here is another link

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/6613759.stm

2100hrs BBC 2 21/05/07

[harry hackedoff]

Sy,
I`ve just finished a piece for our monthly bulletin (which goes out to the RM community in OZ and NZ,) which will spread the word down here. I`ll do you a copy next week
I know it wasn`t just you mate, but you`re the best looking

Take it easy mate, BZ

[Artist]

Si

Will be in front of the Telly at 2100hrs come the 21st May to watch. Makes me wonder why any of us did what we did in view of this governments general malaise when it comes to the treatment of veterans from both past and present conflicts.

Bastards that they are!!!

Artist

[harry hackedoff]

It can only get worse when that nice mister Brown takes over.

Because, let`s face it, it couldn`t possibly get any better

Total fcuking w4nkers.

[SYB]

H and Artist
"In it for themselves" springs to mind.
Id like to read your article H?


I think the documentary will put the point across "to the Jo public" very well. Like I said before- Big team effort and very proud to have met them all....
Syb

[Artist]

It needs putting across to the public Si.

I still have problems when it comes to collecting my pain killers at the local chemist. It's right next to the Med Centre but sometimes when I go in there I get some twonk stood behind the counter having the downright cheek to query my status as a War Pensioner as my prescription is free.

One of the cheeky cows warned me that I would be found out in time for not paying for my prescription like an honest citizen. I very patiently pointed out to this smart arsed gobby cow that:

A. I WAS a War Pensioner.
B. I WAS entitled to my painkillers at no cost to me.
C. I WAS going to complain to her boss ref her demeaner.

And I bloody well did to! The next time I was in there she told me that she was very sorry for what she had previously said to me. Ain't seen her since so I can only assume she rubbed up more than just me with her objectional manner.

Artist

[harry hackedoff]

Kin Dead right Steve.
And that`s the point of the ABANDONED SOLDIER, in a nutshell

[Ste Preece]

Sy,
I'm looking forward to watching the programme on the Abandoned soldier. It is a very valid subject that needs its profile raising to the highest level.

I was quite shocked, some time ago, when you raised the point about the number of former servicemen that ended up living homeless or without guidance to find help when they needed it. And more so at the somewhat depleted level of Health support available for the serving and former serving members of the armed forces.

In reality these people stand ready to give or have already given their full commitment at the forefront of troubles and various conflicts and situations around the world. Yet sadly and unfairly I might add, their aftercare, where relevant, appears to be minimal or none existant.

Britains Armed Forces are reputed to be some of the very best in the world. If not The Very Best. Their support during their service and afterwards should equal this.

Consequently, I hope that the forthcoming programme receives the attention it deserves and that this government stands up, listens and reacts positively.

All the very best mate


Steve

[SYB]

[SYB]

Here is more info on what has been happening/ fund raising etc

http://www.theabandonedsoldier.com/main.php

[SYB]

Preview

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/noise/?id=power

[fodd]

WELL DONE ROYAL

[dwarfy]

SYB,

Well done for a great effort (and to all involved), your doing a top job and creating awareness for something that really needs to be sorted out. I recently lost my best mate towards the end of last year when he took his own life, he was 20 and had recently returned for Iraq, and was due to deploy to Afghan this March just gone. So as you can imagine PTSD and all the other consequences involved with seeing combat are very close to me. I have seen a fair amount of programs recently about the discusting lack of care and consideration our service personel receive both during and after they leave the Forces, and it is nothing short of criminal in some cases.

I will be watching on the 21st.

dwarfy