It is that time of year when it is meant to be 'Peace to all Men' etc.
Sometimes, sat in our comfortable homes watching TV and seeing the horrors that still surround us, it seems an unattainable wish.
Recently we had the tragedy that occurred in Newtown in Connecticut. Harrowing and somehow even worse because of the fact that it was children and those trying to protect them.
We have riots on the streets of Delhi, because of the fact that some men believe that women do not matter in male society and can be used and disposed of like a piece of garbage. Remembering that this was the International Year of the Girl (or some such tritely titled, but incredibly important celebration), it has not been a good year for women or for girls.
A child, purposely shot in the head, from what ever society, culture, religion or gender is still shocking to the vast majority of us.
A child brutally murdered because of perceived offense to a family honour, or defaced with acid, are scenes and stories that are becoming part of the lexicon of 'been there, seen it and done it' news that can be playing in the background while we eat our dinner or go about our comfortable daily lives.
We have become desensitized by our access to 24 hour news and graphic scenes (sometimes real but most often, through films, CGI, fictional depictions) of violence and death. Almost nothing is beyond our visual comprehension because we believe that we have 'seen it all'... and then we get another Newtown, or gang rape on a buss in Delhi, another child being shot because of their support of education for girls, or indeed the cover ups in England of the Hillsborough Tragedy and Jimmy Saville sex abuse scandal, at the highest levels.
Somehow we are in a state of denial: until something even more shocking occurs, and, sadly, it always seems to.
All seasons are of goodwill to men and everyone else!
This week I have been calling to mind the speech of Major Tim Collins on the eve of the invasion of Iraq, brought to my mind by the conviction of an army doctor for his complicity in the cover up of the murder of the Iraqi Citizen (and innocent man), Baha Mousa. Here are the amazing words of his speech, I think that we should all reconsider them:
"We go to liberate, not to conquer.
We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own.
Show respect for them.
There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly.
Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send.
As for the others, I expect you to rock their world.
Wipe them out if that is what they choose.
But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.
Iraq is steeped in history.
It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham.
Tread lightly there.
You will see things that no man could pay to see
- and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis.
You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.
Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country.
Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.
If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day.
Allow them dignity in death.
Bury them properly and mark their graves.
It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive.
But there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign.
We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back.
There will be no time for sorrow.
The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction.
There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam.
He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done.
As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity.
It is a big step to take another human life.
It is not to be done lightly.
I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts.
I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.
If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.
The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please.
If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.
You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest - for your deeds will follow you down through history.
We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation.
It is not a question of if, it's a question of when.
We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself.
If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack.
As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there.
Our business now is North.
What a pity no-one listened to him!
Regular readers of this blog will know about my ongoing support for the 'Comfort Women' at the hands of the Japanese during the Second World War. However, this year we have been reminded of the torture and butchery perpetrated on the Mau Mau, and those suspected of being such by the British in Kenya.
These atrocities are still a daily occurrence in the lives of peoples around the globe. Women. Children. Boys. Girls. Killed, scarred, brutalized and sacrificed to the whims of our politicians or those, unelected, that wield the power of the sword around the world.
I read and I weep!
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| Liam, my hero of 2012 |
During the summer, my partners nephew, Liam (13 years of age) was playing with some friends by a local river in Northamptonshire. A little further down river were another group of boys, two of whom got into difficulties in the water. Without thought of his own welfare, little Liam jumped in and saved the life of one of the boys. Sadly the other could not be found or saved.
Through a selfless act of shear heroism, one family is complete this year that would not have been otherwise. Sadly the other family is grieving, but with the knowledge that these young children tried to save the life of their child, risking their own safety.
In recalling and telling this story, I would ask you to remember that family, and if you pray, say a prayer for them and their loss.
As for Liam, with all the achievements in this country over the last year, I salute him as my hero of 2012. The heroes of the Olympics have their medals, but little Liam saved a precious young life and at least one family from the pain and grief of the loss of their child.
Happy New Year to one and all. May it bring you peace and love.
Eamonn.
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