Lest We Forget

Today was apparently the end of UK combat Operations in Iraq. The date is somewhat moot as over 400 "advisers" will remain in Iraq and has apparently been pulled forward a month to suit Gordon Brown.

We should celebrate the fact that we are finally coming out of Iraq after 6 long years but we should not forget the terrible toll that this war has claimed on our forces. Gordon Brown may claim it as a success but many others in the UK will look on it as little short of a Disaster.

Whatever we think we owe much to the efforts of our British troops and the sacrifices they have made for us.

A total of 179 people from the British Forces have died in Iraq. Full details are here. In addition many others have been injured, both in mind and body, and we must help them through the coming years. Help for Heroes would be a good starting place

May they Rest in Peace.

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

BBC NEWS | UK | UK fatalities in Afghanistan and Iraq: In images