Troops treated like vermin, veterans tell Queen

[vortexring 0]

www.telegraph.co.uk/ne...rmy315.xml


Troops treated like vermin, veterans tell Queen
By Stephen Adams

Last Updated: 2:43am BST 16/10/2007



Horrifically injured servicemen returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are being shown "the most detestable contempt" by the Government, two war veterans have said in a letter to the Queen.

Retired servicemen George Kay and Ricky Clitheroe delivered their letter to the Queen at Buckingham Palace

Speaking outside Buckingham Palace, where they handed the letter to an aide, Mr Clitheroe said he thought returning troops were being "treated like vermin".

The pair also accused the Government of sending troops to fight as "political mercenary forces" in "illegal wars".

Mr Clitheroe, a former corporal with the Parachute Regiment, from Catford in south London, said: "When we fought, we fought for King and country.

"Nowadays we feel sorry for the servicemen because they are fighting for politicians. But they come back and are treated like vermin."

Mr Kay, who served with the SAS and twice escaped German captivity in 1945, heavily criticised the lack of support for injured troops.

The former sergeant major said: "Why can't we have a naval hospital? The Ministry of Defence says there are insufficient numbers of wounded soldiers but we know there are over 800 wounded soldiers now as a result of Iraq and Afghanistan."

In the two-page letter, they criticised ministers for showing troops who had fought in "illegal wars... the most detestable contempt of all by callously ignoring the desperate needs of those luckless service men and women who suffer the horrific injuries of modern warfare, all too often caused by the irresponsible disregard for their basic needs in equipment."

They also accused "successive governments" of treating the Queen's constitutional position with "absolute contempt".

"We have witnessed your governments, and in particular your prime ministers, using the soldiers, sailors and airmen under your Majesty's command as political mercenary forces," they wrote.

Mr Clitheroe told The Daily Telegraph: "She's the governor. The Queen is in charge - it's Her Majesty's Forces."

Mr Kay, who joined the Army two days before his 16th birthday and fought the length of the Second World War, revealed he did not think his son Daniel should be fighting in the Middle East.

Corporal Daniel Kay, 28, has just started a six-month tour of Afghanistan, after serving in Iraq.

But Mr Kay said: "I don't think he should be out there, especially Iraq."

Their letter follows increasing pressure on the Government to improve a range of welfare issues for troops, including accommodation and injury compensation.

Problems highlighted by The Daily Telegraph include the level of compensation paid to injured troops, the lack of dedicated medical facilities for many of them, the poor standard of much military accommodation, the lack of a specific military award for those serving in war-torn southern Afghanistan, and the poor official reception from councils for those returning home.

The paper also campaigned on the problems with lack of resources to ensure military inquests are concluded more swiftly.

Last month the Royal British Legion launched its campaign to ensure the Government respected the Military Covenant, the agreement by which the state promises to look after troops and their families because they risk their lives for the country.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "All correspondence is opened and read by the Queen's office. All correspondence receives a reply from Buckingham Palace."



I'm well aware America doesn't have a monarchy, but are her returning servicemen and women suffering such problems?

Any other allied servicemen and women facing similiar problems with their Governments?

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[warpedskydiver 0]

I would say what you are experiencing will show it's ugly head, here more often due to the political beliefs of some of our citizens.

It has never been a shock that some would use the troops well being as a tool to get back at the goverment.

It is wrong.

Disagree or voice your opposition, just don't take it out on the veterans, they did their jobs so the rest of the country would not have to serve.

Some college kids are of the opinion that all veterans are war criminals, so imagine what they will be like when they are in charge.

[jakee 1,611]

Quote

I would say what you are experiencing will show it's ugly head, here more often due to the political beliefs of some of our citizens.

It has never been a shock that some would use the troops well being as a tool to get back at the goverment.

It is wrong.

Disagree or voice your opposition, just don't take it out on the veterans,

I agree. What kind of utter bastard would campaign for wounded veterans to be better treated?

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[shropshire 0]

<>

100% agree with that.


<>

100% disagree with that.
Yes, their service in Iraq is NOT their fault but it's a stretch to suggest someone had to do it.

(.)Y(.)
Chivalry is not dead; it only sleeps for want of work to do. - Jerome K Jerome

[vortexring 0]

Would they go as far to describe the WW II veterans as war criminals? Probably not I suppose. Ultimately I guess it boils down to everyone having their own opinion, however retarded. Nobody really listens to college kids (do they Jakee?), but people will stand up and pay attention to what these 2 distinguished gentlemen have to say. Desperately slowly we're beginning to see the Government sit up and listen to such people, by the tiniest possible face saving amount. At least it's a start.

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[nerdgirl 0]

Quote

I'm well aware America doesn't have a monarchy, but are her returning servicemen and women suffering such problems?

If I understand correctly the sited article from The Telegraph, it alludes to/intimates/accuses the MOD of a situation similar to what occurred at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (nee Hospital): (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/17/AR2007021701172.html), which was an embarrassment to the the DoD.

The DoD Asst Secretary for Health Affairs (HA) lost his job and the Major General in charge of the facility was replaced.

VR/Marg



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Quote

www.telegraph.co.uk/ne...rmy315.xml

Horrifically injured servicemen returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are being shown "the most detestable contempt" by the Government, two war veterans have said in a letter to the Queen.

The [WWII veterans] pair also accused the Government of sending troops to fight as "political mercenary forces" in "illegal wars".

Mr Kay, who served with the SAS and twice escaped German captivity in 1945, heavily criticised the lack of support for injured troops.

Their letter follows increasing pressure on the Government to improve a range of welfare issues for troops, including accommodation and injury compensation.

Problems highlighted by The Daily Telegraph include the level of compensation paid to injured troops, the lack of dedicated medical facilities for many of them, the poor standard of much military accommodation, the lack of a specific military award for those serving in war-torn southern Afghanistan, and the poor official reception from councils for those returning home."

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[vortexring 0]

What delightful news that; 'the DoD Asst Secretary for Health Affairs (HA) lost his job and the Major General in charge of the facility was replaced.'

They even sound like they were essentially responsible. It's nice to hear they weren't promoted with somebody else taking the blame....

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[Gawain 0]

Quote

I'm well aware America doesn't have a monarchy, but are her returning servicemen and women suffering such problems?

Any other allied servicemen and women facing similiar problems with their Governments?

From my direct experience, and the experience I've observed others having, no. In fact, it could be said a great many of us get treated like royalty...in a way...from the general populace.

As for complaints within/toward the government, I've observed very little. When I was at Walter Reed, in fact from the time I got wounded, I never had a doubt in those that cared for me, from the Combat Op Post to Baghdad to Balad to Landstuhl to Walter Reed.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[vortexring 0]

I'm glad you were treated well Max. The fact still remains that many are not. I know of servicemen attacked by other patients in a civilian hospital whilst being literally unable to move. Or what of the payouts to a serviceman blown up in Afghanistan, in comparison to a civil servant suffering repetitive strain injury whilst working for the RAF in the UK? £152,150 verses £484,000. Naturally I could come up with more examples. Still, it seems the facility may have become worse in it's standards from when you were there?

'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.'

[SpeedRacer 1]

That's fucked up.

To our shame, many Vietnam veterans were subjected to all kinds of shit because the war was so unpopular.

Happily, many Americans learned from that experience & realized that no matter what you feel about the war, it was wrong to take it out on the soldiers who were sent there under orders. hopefully, despite the unpopularity of the Iraq war, we won't see too much shit being heaped on the veterans this time around.

Speed Racer
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[Gawain 0]

Quote

I'm glad you were treated well Max. The fact still remains that many are not. I know of servicemen attacked by other patients in a civilian hospital whilst being literally unable to move. Or what of the payouts to a serviceman blown up in Afghanistan, in comparison to a civil servant suffering repetitive strain injury whilst working for the RAF in the UK? £152,150 verses £484,000. Naturally I could come up with more examples. Still, it seems the facility may have become worse in it's standards from when you were there?

From this, I gather you're still talking about UK servicemen. US servicemen wounded and returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are not typically treated initially in civilian facilities. Some may go to a VA facility depending on treatment requirements, etc.

All servicemen are covered by a traumatic insurance program, and from what I've read, the payouts aren't as generous as they are in the UK, but those of us that get an insurance payout also get a pension after being separated from the Army.

Standards of care, the US is definitely second to none. During my time at WRAMC, I saw reps from at least a dozen counties that were touring how we got things done. That included the UK.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!