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Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

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Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby zoomzoom » April 24, 2009, 6:52 pm

I found the following on a UK site and it relates to British soldiers, but could easily be equated with those from other countries.

Maybe it is true, maybe it is not - I have no way of knowing!

Anyway, please read it and see what you think.

Last week I was in West London attending a conference.

While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer.

I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering..

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded Briton who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers.

He knelt down and said 'hi,' the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.

The young soldier didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy.

Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for 5 months now.

As the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second.

Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie.

They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.'

He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a Kiss on the cheek.

He finished by saying 'Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'

The mum at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum.

I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause..

As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own.

That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices.

At the end of the day, it's good to be an Englishman.

RED FRIDAYS

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday.

The reason?

Englishmen and women who support our troops used to be called the 'silent majority'.

We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for Country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing.

We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many English people, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Britain supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every Briton who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Great Britain on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football team

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family, It will not be long before Britain is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once 'silent' majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked 'What can we do to make things better for you?' is...'We need your support and your prayers'...

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.


For me it highlighted the way that it seems "not cool" to support troops and the sacrifices that they and their families make!

:(
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby aznyron » April 24, 2009, 7:38 pm

got in a email except it was U.S service men/women good email it showed the men/women in a photo
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby seymourbutts » April 24, 2009, 8:09 pm

This is just not right... British soldiers do not use civillian airports in uniform, and are certainly not this exposed to the general public ....this is some guy trying to get famous by pulling at your heart strings ..... Total rubbish.. Never happened just fiction with a nicey nice factor... i'd be interested to know who the author is!!! Probably the same guy who instigates all the "do not open an email from x xx x"...
It just annoyes me that this is totally made up.. Ron got the same email about american soldiers...

The first thing a soldier says!!! Your support and your prayers!!!!!! Clap trap!!!

Who wrote this?????
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby LoongLee » April 24, 2009, 8:21 pm

Seymour,,,,,, whoa ,, easy big fella! Don't get your knickers in a knot :D I found this ref for you....

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/daughter.asp

Cheers,, LL
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby BobHelm » April 24, 2009, 8:29 pm

Well thank you LL, that seems to 100% confirm what SMB was saying - the Anglicised version of this story printed by the OP is a piece of fiction...
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby LoongLee » April 24, 2009, 8:37 pm

Afraid so,,,,, but I still find it a compelling read,,,,, I'm just an old softy for the patriotic,,,, :-({|=
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby beer monkey » April 24, 2009, 8:40 pm

Or maybe the person who had just finished the conference attended many around the globe, and happened to stumble upon soldiers heading out on every occasion...although asking for 'prayers' is not a real brit thing., having said that i think it was written and adapted to make one pay more attention to our own troops and what they are doing...just drumming up support sort of thing, and i enjoyed the read too.
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby zoomzoom » April 24, 2009, 9:32 pm

I did question whether the original post was genuine, or not!

What I did not question( and still do not) was the patriotic sentiment that lay behind it - whatever it's origins!!

IMHO patriotism is "lifeblood", without it there is nothing.

Others, of course, can disagree but should remember those who paid with their blood (and still do), to allow them to do that!

;)
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby Ter » April 24, 2009, 9:48 pm

With seymour on that one, it's as far fetched as sh1te from china. Belongs in dubious propaganda or fairy stories.
In the first few paragraphs the far fetched starts. Nice story though but thats all it is imo.
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby westerby » April 24, 2009, 10:50 pm

British servicemen going on or coming back from theatre fly out through Brize Norton, Lyneham or their own airfields. However, I've seen uniformed American troops deploying to theatre through Atlanta airport in 2005. It sounds like the e-mail has been adapted for a British home audience.

Is patriotism old fashioned? No, or else we wouldn't be following the English football team through the qualifiers of the World Cup. But I think Americans at home are far more aware of what their troops go through than we Brits are. The British public is relatively unaware of what goes on in theatre. I don't think it's because they don't care but because it has no meaning in their lives - there's no understanding.
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby laphanphon » April 24, 2009, 11:01 pm

pa·tri·ot [páytree ət, páytree òt]
(plural patriots)
noun
supporter of own country: a proud supporter or defender of his or her country and its way of life

[Late 16th century. Via French < late Latin patriota "fellow countryman" < Greek patris "fatherland"]

-pa·tri·ot·ic [pàytree óttik], adjective
-pa·tri·ot·i·cal·ly [pàytree óttikəlee], adverb
-pa·tri·ot·ism, noun


to answer the question, one must understand the question. do countrymen/women support their troops, i think so. i did a short stint in military, a bit older than most, so not naive to politics and one to blindly follow orders without question, which doesn't fit in with military protocal. so it was a short stint, mutual and voluntary on both sides, honorable service/general discharge. past and present, tho not in a long time, if i saw soldiers on leave in philly, close to fort dix, a basic/mos training base, i would always buy them a round. have respect for anyone who follows their beliefs, and thinks they are doing good and hopefully affecting a change in the world. especially those who aren't so sure, but follow the orders, and hopefully take serious their oath of foreign and 'domestic' enemies.

as far as being patriot to the country of my birth, i sadly can not think of any military action, w/exception of grenada, maybe gulf one, which they failed miserably at, that i would even consider myself proud of. matter of fact, i can't think of anything my country, usa, has done in the last 65 years to make me proud. except show up in europe for WWII, way too late, but at least made an appearance. the politics, the propagande, the violation of human rights both domestic and international are shameful, embarrassing, and nothing to be patriotic of.

but the men and women who serve, will always get my respect. and if i was ever needed, i would actually return and take up arms, if someone actually invaded the usa, which hasn't happened and probably won't in my life time. as i might of mentioned a couple times, if not for benefits i worked for during 30 years time in the states, and the fact no other country wants me, i'd probably renounce my citizenship. :lol: :lol: :lol:

i have no respect for the politics or politcians of the united states or any international scam organization they belong to, such as WHO, WTO, G 8 / 20 / 400, pick one, they all suck and do nothing but put their own financial agenda first.

IMHO, just another demented thought. :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby MALC » April 25, 2009, 12:19 am

:D patriotism is not as fashiobale now as it used to be. but i think if it coes down to the nity grity. yes we are. our gov in uk have give us nothing to be patriot about. or proud about anymore.
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby arjay » April 25, 2009, 1:33 am

Zoom Zoom, when quoting articles on the forum, the rules require that the source is clearly identified, the text placed in quotes, and a link provided to the source if available. In that way we avoid infringing copyright and members can see and assess the source and validity of the material for themselves. ;)

The rules can be found here:-
forum-rules-user-agreement-t460.html

Your cooperation is appreciated. Thanks :D
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby WBU ALUM » April 25, 2009, 6:22 am

MALC wrote:our gov in uk have give us nothing to be patriot about. or proud about anymore.

The USSA is following the lead.
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Re: Patriotism - Is it old fashioned?

Postby BKKSTAN » April 25, 2009, 6:47 am

Supportive of our troops is patriotic! I encourage it and i have always done it!But being patriotic doesn't mean blind agreement with everything a countrie gov't does,It is also patriotic to make your views known!
It is unpatriotic to choose another country as being a greater country than yours.I am a patriot and I think the USA with all her mistakes ,is the greatest country in the World! I am proud to be an American!
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