Volunteers send 7ft-high wall of parcels to the front line

[Geezer]

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Articl ... 9?UserKey=

By Alistair Beaton

Published: 18/11/2009

overwhelming’ response to north-east mother’s support our soldiers campaign

A north-east team worked with military precision yesterday to help wrap and send out hundreds of goodwill parcels to troops who will spend Christmas on the front line.

Debra Millburn launched a Support Our Soldiers appeal just eight weeks ago, and since then almost 800 shoe-box-sized parcels packed with small presents have flooded in from across Scotland.

“It’s wonderful. The response really has been overwhelming. We have been working our way through a 7ft-high wall of parcels,” said Mrs Millburn, whose 22-year-old lance-corporal son, Michael, has seen action in Afghanistan.

Yesterday she and a band of volunteers worked through the morning and afternoon at Ellon’s Royal British Legion Scotland branch clubrooms, packing parcels that will shortly be winging their way around the world to named military personnel.

“These parcels, which have come from as far afield as Shetland and Ayr as well as Aberdeen and Elgin, will bring a bit of seasonal cheer to our brave soldiers, and let them know everyone at home is supporting and thinking of them,” said Mrs Millburn, of Braehead Drive, Cruden Bay.

The parcels effort has been supported by relatives, Royal British Legion branches, schools and supermarkets.

A donation of 50p will be made to the British Limbless Ex-Servicemen’s Association for every Christmas package posted out.

Last night, Royal Mail staff loaded sackloads of parcels into vans for delivery to the British Forces Post Office base in London, before onward transit to the troops.

Earlier this year Mrs Millburn became the north of Scotland representative for SOS, Support Our Soldiers.

Falklands veteran Kenny Watt, from Dundee, immediately volunteered to help after hearing of the appeal through an ex-Airborne Forces website.

The former Red Beret paratrooper from the city’s Dee Gardens has toured drop-off points around the country to collect donations.

Mr Watt, who joined the team at Ellon yesterday, said: “My pal, Bob Campbell from Bridge of Don, and I were proud to help.”

His sentiments were echoed by Ellon Royal British Legion Scotland branch pensions and welfare officer Alan Donaldson. He served with the Royal Signals for 22 years, and now his grandson Calum Lawrie is serving with the corps in Afghanistan.

Mr Donaldson, of Ellon’s Provost Cordiner Road, said: “We are so proud of him and gave him a special send-off last week in York.

“It was a Christmas party, Guy Fawkes and Hogmanay celebration all in one.

“These parcels will let all our soldiers over there know our thoughts are with them, all the time.”

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[Post Off]

That's really heartwarming to read. I know we can't bring our troops back, or anything like that. So, it's kind of great that they won't feel forgotten about.

I know this sounds like me doing a bit of ranting here, but why the fug do we need our troops to be seen on the ground winning hearts and fugging minds? Why can't we just build a series of mini fortified strongholds, tarmac over certain key roads up to a given perimeter, and anything that looks like it may be an insurgent-led manoeuvre blow the fugging hell out of it!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

That's really heartwarming to read. I know we can't bring our troops back, or anything like that. So, it's kind of great that they won't feel forgotten about.

I know this sounds like me doing a bit of ranting here, but why the fug do we need our troops to be seen on the ground winning hearts and fugging minds? Why can't we just build a series of mini fortified strongholds, tarmac over certain key roads up to a given perimeter, and anything that looks like it may be an insurgent-led manoeuvre blow the fugging hell out of it!

Ah in Vietnam they used to call this the "Ben Tre logic"

Writing about the provincial capital, Ben Tre, on February 7, 1968, Arnett said: "'it became necessary to destroy the town to save it,' a U.S. major says." To this day, "Ben Tre logic" is a common saying for whenever a "logical" conclusion is to destroy something out of the perceived best interests of everyone involved.

IMHO there is no way to win an insurgency conflict like Afghanistan with just a Military and Intelligence approach. You also need a political will, hearts and minds (it worked in Borneo in the 50s/60s - but not for the US in Vietnam) and most of all you need contact with sympathisers of the opposing force and some way to communicate with that force, and eventually you need to have open talks and agreements with them.

Most people, understandably do not like the idea of talking to terrorists or coming to an agreement with them, but IMO there is no other choice except for a long drawn out war of attrition and rising body counts for both sides.

[Post Off]

Ah in Vietnam they used to call this the "Ben Tre logic"

Writing about the provincial capital, Ben Tre, on February 7, 1968, Arnett said: "'it became necessary to destroy the town to save it,' a U.S. major says." To this day, "Ben Tre logic" is a common saying for whenever a "logical" conclusion is to destroy something out of the perceived best interests of everyone involved.

IMHO there is no way to win an insurgency conflict like Afghanistan with just a Military and Intelligence approach. You also need a political will, hearts and minds (it worked in Borneo in the 50s/60s - but not for the US in Vietnam) and most of all you need contact with sympathisers of the opposing force and some way to communicate with that force, and eventually you need to have open talks and agreements with them.

Most people, understandably do not like the idea of talking to terrorists or coming to an agreement with them, but IMO there is no other choice except for a long drawn out war of attrition and rising body counts for both sides.

Hm, thinking about what you both said of course must make overall sense. I just wish there was a more (technologically) advanced way to protect those on the ground doing both the winning of hearts and minds.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

TBT have you read the forgotten war? Sounds like you have.

Not that one no but looks interesting - Have read "The Dirty War" by Dillon about NI - now that is a scary read, and surprisingly accurate as well.

[DGP1]

TBT have you read the forgotten war? Sounds like you have.

Not that one no but looks interesting - Have read "The Dirty War" by Dillon about NI - now that is a scary read, and surprisingly accurate as well.

Wasn't it He also wrote the Shankill Butchers which is an even better read (Lenny Murphy was a complete psychopath).

[DGP1]

Sorry I got distracted, what I meant to say was - surely it's better to send food, medicine and ammo first and then care packages if there's room.