Turkeys make the front line as troops celebrate
TROOPS from Bristol serving in Afghanistan were able to celebrate Christmas with presents from home, a turkey lunch and even a charity fun run.
Around 9,000 servicemen and women from the UK are deployed in Helmand Province and an extra effort was made on Christmas day to make sure they were given some "down time".
-
Lieutenant Gemma Rowland from Bristol and Captain Andy Adams celebrate Christmas in main operating base (MOB) Lashkar Gah, Helmand Province, Afghanistan
Commanding officer Lieutenant Colonel Nick Wood addressed the troops to thank them for their hard work on the tour so far, and wished everybody a merry Christmas.
There was also a special message from Prince Charles broadcast over the radio.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
Captain Daniel Turner, 36, from Bristol, who serves with the Royal Dragoon Guards, said: ''It's fantastic. I've had turkey and sprouts and have had a great time sitting with my friends. It's great having a day like today halfway through the tour."
In Lashkar Gah, hundreds of soldiers and spectators gathered in costumes for the Lash Dash, a 5K fun run for charity.
Thousands of balloons, crackers, party poppers and hats were flown in to the areas of operations specially, and more than 130 tonnes of Christmas post was delivered to Camp Bastion this week, to be handed out among bases.
Every soldier serving in Afghanistan received a Christmas lunch or dinner, even those in remote patrol bases.
But it was business as usual for many troops on the front line, as members of the Royal Military Police and the Royal Dragoon Guards set off on an early morning patrol.
The group of about 20 soldiers went out on foot patrol to visit Afghan National Police officers, a practice they have been carrying out daily.
Celebrations and lunches were laid on at bases across Helmand, including Camp Bastion and Forward Operating Base Shawqat, as well as Camp Tombstone and Main Operating Base Price, where the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, (1 SCOTS), are operating.
Comments
by Lone_Ranger
Saturday, December 29 2012, 1:01AM
“I have respect for anyone who does the job they have chosen and are paid to do. Perhaps you should stop believeing everything the right-wing press would have you believe.”
by steveinavalon
Friday, December 28 2012, 11:40PM
“Lone_Ranger stop believing the left wing moron line and being an armchair warrior. The Taliban filth only believe in their own twisted version of Islam, a worldwide caliphate, women treated like animals, all the rest of it and bringing the war to us in the West.
Grow up from student idealism and face the real world!
Have some respect for our forces too”
by Lone_Ranger
Friday, December 28 2012, 11:28PM
“Whether I would do the jobs the troops choose to do is immaterial - It's a choice and I choose not to go to war for the Government.
The reason this "war" is continuing is nothing to do with terrorist training camps and everything to do ewith keeping the US oil supply line open.”
by steveinavalon
Friday, December 28 2012, 3:33PM
“@Lone_Ranger maybe we wouldn't be here is slightly over the top but some of us wouldn't be if the training camps for terrorist scum were allowed to proliferate in Afghanistan and N Pakistan. It could be you wandering around Cabot or Broad Mead as attacks widen out into more cities as more cells are trained and sent here.
Or we might see a massive draconian clampdown on immigration by "suspect types" and the turmoil that could cause.
Finally I bet you'd not have the guts to face what our troops do?”
by Lone_Ranger
Thursday, December 27 2012, 4:58PM
“shutup2012 - Fair play to people who choose to join in the armed services but could you explain why "we wouldn't be here" without them?”
by Rockyruss
Thursday, December 27 2012, 2:05PM
“Thinking of you at this time”
by shutup2012
Thursday, December 27 2012, 12:02PM
“Thank you to all the service men and women for all you do for us.
We wouldn't be here without you, We can't thank you enough.
Hope you all enjoyed your down time and had some fun.
Thank you all and Merry Christmas and a very Happy New year to you all.”