48 hours after son dies in Iraq,parents face cameras and praise army's role

[NNN0LHI]

http://news.scotsman.com/uk.cfm?id=584072006

THE parents of a British soldier killed in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq have issued a staunch defence of the army's role in rebuilding the country.

Speaking just 48 hours after the death of their son, Lieutenant Richard Palmer, Brigadier John Palmer and his wife, Sue, who bravely smiled for the cameras, said that the Scots Dragoon Guard had been "making a difference" while serving in Basra.

Speaking at their Hertfordshire home, Brigadier Palmer said: "Life was very difficult for his squadron, for his troop, but he still believed in what they were doing - they were doing it very professionally - and that they were, little by little, making a difference for the majority of the population." snip

His commanding officer, Lt-Col Ben Edwards, said he had seemed destined for a "glittering military career".

[marmar]

1. If you're a parent, perhaps you delude yourself into belieiving...

something like that to avoid dealing with all the internal rage.

[napi21]

2. I think parents have to tell themselves that.

If they really faced the truth, they'd be gunning for Blair and Shrub!

[MadMaddie]

3. It's hard for me to criticize these parents.....

...they want to...no they have to believe their son died for a noble cause because that's all they have left......48 hours they are still in shock....the rage will come eventually.....

Bless these parents and family members that have lost sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, spouses, mothers and fathers...

[RoyGBiv]

6. I agree ...

I simply won't criticize them.

As I've said repeatedly of Cindy Sheehan which someone wishes aloud that she'd shut up, the parents of a dead soldier has an absolute right to speak their minds in any way they see fit. I might not like what they say, may in fact disagree with it, but I have no warrant suggest they aren't entitled to their opinion. Unlike a lot of hawks, they've suffered loss and have earned the right to believe what they want to believe.

[unschooler]

10. Very well said, RoyGBiv. EOM.

[MrModerate]

4. That's the problem with those "glittering military careers . . ."

Sometimes you get your ass shot off and all that glitter gets dulled by gobbets of shredded flesh.

On the other hand, there's probably some truth the the statement that the troops were making positive changes in local people's lives. Unfortunately, all the good will in the world is useless if the social fabric is rent in tatters and civil war is about to overwhelm the country.

Brigadier Snoot-Fotheringay no doubt feels quite noble right now.

I bet his wife hates his guts.

[ripple]

5. They can't accept that their son died in vain.

It isn't unusual, really, just a sad result of an unnecessary war.

May he rest in peace.

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. They have been conned into believing that it was their son's duty

to go nation building in Iraq. Apparently, the con works about every 80 years in the UK

[yourout]

8. Ask them in a year.....after the shock has worn off and Iraq is

nothing more than Western Iran.

[applegrove]

9. I think they like to get them when they are in shock. The time for

giving these people a voice is when they need it.. when they are coming out of shock and trying to find meaning in their lives. At this point - they need a public funeral if you want to show them real love & support. As ususal - everything is flipped to work towards the goals of the people in the WH. I hope it helps this family. I really do.