What is the significance of the poppy? Why do we wear them as a symbol of Remembrance?
Define Fiat Money
10 years ago
Monday, 15 October 2007
Friday, 12 October 2007
Maimed Soldier 'let down' by Army
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson
Mother criticises MoD The mother of a soldier who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan is to challenge his "flawed" compensation award in the High Court.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a landmine in September.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150 in compensation. His mother said he had been "let down".
The government said a review of the military compensation scheme was due to be completed within weeks.
Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth, said: "It is because of circumstances like this that the system is being reviewed and we will conduct that review as quickly as we can... to see whether or not we need to change the scheme that's in place."
'Fighting fund'
The Ministry of Defence said Mr Parkinson would also receive a guaranteed income payment for the rest of his life after he has left the Army.
He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.
Payment for injuries
Loss of legs - £115,000
Brain injury - £34,500
Fractures to arm - £2,650
Remaining 34 injuries - no payment
He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.
However, the award he received is only slightly more than half the maximum £285,000 which can be given to injured military personnel.
Diane Dernie, 49, is setting up a "fighting fund" to pay for her High Court bid.
She said: "We just can't believe that a scheme intended to care for soldiers who put themselves in such dangerous situations could be so flawed.
'Very positive'
"Any assessment of injury must look at the totality of those injuries to make a true award based on the long-term needs of the victim.
Mrs Dernie said the whole family felt 'let down' by the MoD
"The severity of Ben's injuries means that we need to be able to move to an adapted house to help him live as normal a life as possible."
Mrs Dearnie said her family had initially been told Ben would die from his injuries.
She said: "Ben was extremely ill, we were told that he was going to die. He was brought home directly to hospital rather than one of the specialist treatment centres because it was thought his injuries were un-survivable.
"But he has amazed everybody and he continues to improve - but he will need care for the rest of his life.
"Ben is very positive, he is very army minded and he also knows that he will always have his family behind him.
"We do try and shield him from some of the worst of our fears, but we do feel very let down."
Lump sum payment
According to Mr Parkinson's lawyers, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only considers the three "worst" injuries, which are then assessed financially against a set tariff.
Mrs Dernie said her plans for a legal challenge were being backed by a number of other injured servicemen and their families.
"We owe it to all the injured soldiers to fight for the compensation they deserve, and which will help them to live the best quality life they can expect," she said.
In a statement, the MoD said: "The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has made a lump sum payment to Ben Parkinson and will make additional monthly tax-free payments when he leaves service.
"The sum total of these could exceed £1m over his lifetime."
Mother criticises MoD The mother of a soldier who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan is to challenge his "flawed" compensation award in the High Court.
Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, 23, was injured by a landmine in September.
The paratrooper, who will need special medical care for the rest of his life, was awarded £152,150 in compensation. His mother said he had been "let down".
The government said a review of the military compensation scheme was due to be completed within weeks.
Armed Forces Minister, Bob Ainsworth, said: "It is because of circumstances like this that the system is being reviewed and we will conduct that review as quickly as we can... to see whether or not we need to change the scheme that's in place."
'Fighting fund'
The Ministry of Defence said Mr Parkinson would also receive a guaranteed income payment for the rest of his life after he has left the Army.
He is reportedly one of the most seriously injured soldiers to survive.
Payment for injuries
Loss of legs - £115,000
Brain injury - £34,500
Fractures to arm - £2,650
Remaining 34 injuries - no payment
He lost both his legs as well as suffering a brain injury, fractures to his skull, cheekbone, nose, jaw, pelvis and vertebrae, as well as serious damage to his spleen and chest.
However, the award he received is only slightly more than half the maximum £285,000 which can be given to injured military personnel.
Diane Dernie, 49, is setting up a "fighting fund" to pay for her High Court bid.
She said: "We just can't believe that a scheme intended to care for soldiers who put themselves in such dangerous situations could be so flawed.
'Very positive'
"Any assessment of injury must look at the totality of those injuries to make a true award based on the long-term needs of the victim.
Mrs Dernie said the whole family felt 'let down' by the MoD
"The severity of Ben's injuries means that we need to be able to move to an adapted house to help him live as normal a life as possible."
Mrs Dearnie said her family had initially been told Ben would die from his injuries.
She said: "Ben was extremely ill, we were told that he was going to die. He was brought home directly to hospital rather than one of the specialist treatment centres because it was thought his injuries were un-survivable.
"But he has amazed everybody and he continues to improve - but he will need care for the rest of his life.
"Ben is very positive, he is very army minded and he also knows that he will always have his family behind him.
"We do try and shield him from some of the worst of our fears, but we do feel very let down."
Lump sum payment
According to Mr Parkinson's lawyers, the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) only considers the three "worst" injuries, which are then assessed financially against a set tariff.
Mrs Dernie said her plans for a legal challenge were being backed by a number of other injured servicemen and their families.
"We owe it to all the injured soldiers to fight for the compensation they deserve, and which will help them to live the best quality life they can expect," she said.
In a statement, the MoD said: "The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme has made a lump sum payment to Ben Parkinson and will make additional monthly tax-free payments when he leaves service.
"The sum total of these could exceed £1m over his lifetime."
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Gord's Troop Trick
This is an article from the Sunday Mirror by Michael Brunson former ITN politcal editor which captures my sentiments exactly. Please Read.
Gordon Brown's utterly cynical decision to fly to Iraq last week had me spitting tacks.
I thought this Prime Minister had turned over a new leaf, staying out of sight until he had something important to say or do. Yet this was spin and news management of the worst kind - a cheap shot to try to steal the Tories thunder during their conference.
When Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly parroted the official line on BBC's Question Time that Gordon needed to inform himself of the situation on the ground ahead of his Commons statement on Iraq tomorrow. She was quite rightly greeted with hoots of derision from the audience and every other one of her fellow panelists, and made to look very stupid. So cut it out Gordon.
If I were a squaddie in Iraq or Afganistan I would be heartily sick of the procession of politicians and other bigwigs flying into pose with me in the heat and the dust and going on about what a fine job I was doing and how proud he or she was of all that had been achieved.
I bet that uppermost in my mind would be how soon I could finish the questionable job I was sent out to do and get back home, and whether my jerry-built, damp, Sixties barracks, or quarters had been improved while I'd been away.
Sorting that out, and even more importantly, securing proper and generous compensation, and first-class medical care, for those service men and women who've been injured is the way the Prime Minister can really show that he values what our armed forces are called upon to do instead of using them as a backdrop for photo opportunities.
Gordon Brown's utterly cynical decision to fly to Iraq last week had me spitting tacks.
I thought this Prime Minister had turned over a new leaf, staying out of sight until he had something important to say or do. Yet this was spin and news management of the worst kind - a cheap shot to try to steal the Tories thunder during their conference.
When Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly parroted the official line on BBC's Question Time that Gordon needed to inform himself of the situation on the ground ahead of his Commons statement on Iraq tomorrow. She was quite rightly greeted with hoots of derision from the audience and every other one of her fellow panelists, and made to look very stupid. So cut it out Gordon.
If I were a squaddie in Iraq or Afganistan I would be heartily sick of the procession of politicians and other bigwigs flying into pose with me in the heat and the dust and going on about what a fine job I was doing and how proud he or she was of all that had been achieved.
I bet that uppermost in my mind would be how soon I could finish the questionable job I was sent out to do and get back home, and whether my jerry-built, damp, Sixties barracks, or quarters had been improved while I'd been away.
Sorting that out, and even more importantly, securing proper and generous compensation, and first-class medical care, for those service men and women who've been injured is the way the Prime Minister can really show that he values what our armed forces are called upon to do instead of using them as a backdrop for photo opportunities.
WELL SAID - Michael Brunson for the next election then!!
Monday, 8 October 2007
Helmand Home Life
SANDBAGS decorate the walls, wooden planks balanced on empty ammo boxes are sofas and the less than fragrant smell of the latrines can be detected well in advance of a sighting.Contact with the world outside their Hesco bastion and barbed wire home at the Sangin District Centre is limited for the troops of A Company, 1st Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment and its attachments. Privacy inside the wire is equally tight. Mosquito nets enveloping camp beds provide flimsy screens from neighbouring cots squeezed into the few rooms before overflowing onto roofs and terraces. Men have communal shaves in front of broken mirror shards and women sneak down to the river for a wash after dark. Quiet corners for letting off steam in a bluey home are at a premium and nobody can escape the reality of the Taliban lurking round the corner, especially when your body armour has evolved as your second skin.
The austere routine of life reflects the daily threat of attacks troops live with in Sangin. Downtime with an out-of-date magazine or contemplative cigarette always carries the edge of having to respond to an emergency at a moment’s notice.
Read The Full Article
Friday, 5 October 2007
Wheelchair Rugby Is Tough
Take a look at this clip!
Heres another link to playing by running the gaunlet. Try it out and see if your any good !
Thursday, 4 October 2007
Think Your Good Enough to Become a Pilot
Watch out, this will drive you crazy and it's addictive.Here's something to frustrate you on a Monday (or any other day!).The object is to move the red block aroundwithout getting hit by the blue blocks or touching the black walls.If you can go longer than 18 seconds you are phenomenal.The US Air Force uses this for fighter pilots.They are expected to go for at least 2 minutes. Give it a try!!
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html
http://members.iinet.net.au/~pontipak/redsquare.html
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