Wednesday December 8th 2005
Just a quick reminder that the Free Postage concession ends on the 15th December, just one week away. Whilst it seemed great news at the time that the postage was to be free in the run up to Christmas, it's going to be another bitter blow when it's withdrawn again. I know we ask time and time again but please do sign our petition to make this a permanent arrangement, and please pass on to all your friends and colleagues. Also if you've any opinions to express on the subject please do email us, these will be passed on with the signaturres. I know many of you feel very strongly, so please let's hear about it!
Monday November 29th
Congratulations !!!!
We're delighted to hear that our lovely patron Nell McAndrew and Paul Hardcastle were married last Thursday in Huddersfield. Congratulations Nell and Paul from all the SOS team, we wish you lots of love, health and happiness!
There's a full report at http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,5-2004551259,00.html
In The News -
TWO top English regiments are locked in a battle to the death — with one set to be axed in a fortnight - Full report at
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004552291,00.html US Army top brass today hailed the brave Black Watch troops working in Iraq as "awesome".
Full report at http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2004552382,00.html
Tuesday November 16th
This email was sent to me at work. With so much negative media coverage it's really nice to see things from a different angle. Many thanks to the person who composed it and hope you don't mind me posting the content on the site!
Why don't these pictures make the news?
'Please pass them on. Sometimes in our everyday lives we tend to forget what's going on elsewhere in the world and that the brave men and women of the service are just like you and I. They have family and friends back home who love them very much and are praying for their safe return. When you read this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for the people in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq, and all around the world'
Thursday November 11th - Remembrance Day
Today we remember the sacrifice made by others for our freedom, past or present. For all our servicemen and women who have given their lives in the course of duty, may they never be forgotten
Lest We Forget
They shall not grow old, as we who 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
The Poppy Appeal
'On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 the guns of Europe fell silent. After four years of the most bitter and devastating fighting, The Great War was finally over. The Armistice was signed at 5am in a railway carriage in the Forest of Compiegne, France on November 11, 1918. Six hours later, at 11am, the war ended.
The first Remembrance Day was conducted in 1919 throughout Britain and the Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of hostilities the previous year. It came to symbolise the end of the war and provide an opportunity to remember those who had died.
After the end of the Second World War in 1945 Armistice Day became Remembrance Day to include all those who had fallen in the two World Wars and later conflicts.'
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/remembrance/history/silence_history.shtml
Wednesday November 10th
Website Updates - We're delighted that a new way has been found to update the website on a regular basis without troubling our already overworked webmaster. I'd like to say a personal thank you to Chris for all that he's done over the past eighteen months, it really has been appreciated.
Now however you can expect updates on a weekly, even daily basis so please do get in touch if you have anything that you would like included - news items, messages, forthcoming events - we can now promise instant addition!
Freepost Campaign Update - The great news for the moment is Tony Blair's recent announcement that postage for parcels to British Troops on overseas operations will be free from now until Christmas. This is a fantastic result and goes to show that with a combined effort we can make a difference. More details will shortly be available on the SOS - Scotland page. Again our thanks go to Agnes who has led the Campaign, and kept her determination against all the odds and when many of us felt the battle was lost. She really does deserve full marks and more for this onel!
However, we started the campaign not only to re-instate free postage to the Gulf but also to all other BFPO addresses on a permanent basis, and therefore the fight is not over yet. If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to sign the online petition or even better, print out the form below and circulate to your friends and colleagues. As we've already shown, every signature will make a difference.
Previous notices below - please scroll down to view ...
August
www.psd-training.com
Our goal is "to be the European industry standard for High Risk PSD Operative Training, to provide High Risk Pre-Deployment Training to all security operatives entering high risk hostile environments". While personnel with very specialist employment back grounds may be able to deploy straight out to theatres like Iraq with no extra training, the average former member of the police or military would need to undergo the correct training. This would be to bring them up to speed with the latest drills, weapons, techniques and situational awareness to ensure that they are a valued member to their team, and to ensure their own safety.
Of course there is an element of danger involved with employment like this but considering the amount of personnel deployed in these roles, it certainly isn’t as bad as the press would have you believe. By having the correct training and a good team around you, you and your family back home will have the confidence to enable you to earn the high wages that go with operating in a high threat environment.
If you feel as though you have the correct attributes to become a PSD team member and would like to be trained in the skills and drills that would make you valuable to a potential employer, there is an option. PSD Training is a company comprising of individuals from specialist backgrounds with extensive experience in the Middle East and beyond. Our training course will not only prepare you with the necessary ability to hit the ground running but will also provide you with the necessary contacts so that you can make approaches to the organisations with the best contracts in Iraq and other High Risk environments.
June 2005
Forces Reunited and SSAFA Forces Help in Partnership!
Forces Reunited Ltd. is proud to support SSAFA Forces Help, the national charity helping serving and ex-Service men, women and their families in need. Forces Reunited Ltd. is sponsoring the training of 5 SSAFA caseworkers and is raising awareness of SSAFA's vital role.
June
 Here is an update from Officerlife.com – the number one online forces lifestyle magazine.
The Magazine Officerlife has undergone a change for the next edition, so look out for an exciting new format! We have also adopted the new abbreviated name of OLife, as this had become the unofficial name used by most people we had talked to about the magazine.
Junes issue features...
• Leg amputee Chris Moon, who is overcoming the odds by trekking the length of Britain in just 25 days.
• Up and coming Army boxer Chris Pacy.
• Egypt as a fantastic diving destination.
• Why Officerlife is backing women's rugby.
• The new phenomenon of kickbiking.
• The chance to enter our amazing new competitions.
You can subscribe to Officerlife online by clicking here, or by ringing (01604) 495495.
Monday May 17th
Forces Helpline - Website now up and running!
The Forces Helpline is an independent service provided by ex-forces personnel, is non profit making and relies solely on donations to provide its services. If you need advice, information or just want to air your views about anything, we’re here to listen and help if we can. Never feel as if you’re on your own or there's no one to turn to we're only a click away! Anything you tell us is in the strictest confidence.
Visit at www.forces-helpline.com
MOTHER OF ALL BATTLES
The Mother Of All Battles by Terry Walker is due for release in December. Terry has worked very hard for us with sales of the calendar and we hope you'll all join with us in wishing him every success with this venture. Here's a little more about Terry and the book.
Your members can order the book from dreamstarbooks.com
ISBN No. 1904166-10-5
Price £12.99 +£2.00pp
Expected Release : December 16th 2003 if all goes well To reserve your copy of this book, please e-mail: orders@dreamstarbooks.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Terry Walker
I was born in the small town of Brampton, near Carlisle in the North of England. I was the only boy of four children.
As part of a military family, I travelled the world extensively with much time spent in Germany. In December 1977 I followed in my father's footsteps by going into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
I was stationed in England, Germany, Northern Ireland and also the Falkland Islands, where I was involved with Air Defence duties during "Operation Corporate", and served as a number two operator with the Bomb Disposal in mainland UK. My final active service role was with the 4th Armoured Brigade on "Operation Granby" during the 1991 War with Iraq.
SYNOPSIS
It was the worst and most environmentally toxic war of the 20th century. In 1990/1991 Britain sent 53,000 men and women to war, the largest contingent for almost 50 years.
Following the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saddam Hussein promised the “Mother of all Battles”; few in the West believed him. Yet, for ordinary Iraqis the conflict was catastrophic. The conscripted farmers, bank managers and teachers that comprised the Iraqi army were undernourished, poorly paid and inadequately trained.
As Iraq was repeatedly subjected to heavy bombardment from the air, coalition ground forces faced a significantly diminished Iraqi army and Republican Guard. Some offered minor or token resistance, but most surrendered with dignity. It took the allied forces less than two months to eject the Iraqi military from Kuwait, but for many veterans the consequences of the Gulf War lasted much longer. This is his story. |
