I have no objection to people remembering the fallen in various conflicts over the years, although my view is that this should be done in a more concrete form by the government taking better financial care of the maimed survivors and their families rather than making them dependent on a charity.

But I see no good reason for some New Ferry local to take it upon himself to mark the beginning and end of the two minute silence with a thunderous detonation. We all have access to accurate time, but not only is it uneccessary, it is the last thing anyone who has experienced shelling wants to hear. Many more disagree with the whole tasteful remembrance ceremony business and see it as a thinly disguised attempt by politicians and the military to recruit more cannon-fodder.

I won't go as far as hoping this local enthusiast blows himself up, but I hope he will realise that it is considered neither necessary nor desirable by many of us.

It is worth remembering that the glorious dead cannot speak up and make their views felt, and the glorious maimed, blinded and damaged ones are never allowed to express their views.

Such a sad day today, just listening to some of the farewell letters that have to be written if the worst happens. Heartbreaking. It must have been torture for you Star so glad he came home as you say many didn't. War hate it!

Feel for you Star. Few years back a classmate of my son was killed in Afghanistan aged about 21. What angered me more was that the School encouraged the "less bright" pupils to go and do the army assault courses and get fed the "great life in the army stuff"
Am sure the army life can help some people with discipline and a trade but it didn't help that poor lad.