Solid Perfume › Forums › General Discussions › Thanksgiving Mass For Lance Corp Tom Keogh
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I just felt I needed to write a few words as I have just come back from the Thanksgiving Mass for the life of Lance Corporal Tom Keogh, 25th August 1985 – 7th March 2010.
No doubt this was mentioned in the press worldwide but if not, here is a small contribution.
It was only by chance I noticed a great deal of activity by soldiers and police in the Catholic Church opposite our apartment block this morning.
I asked a few people when I went downstairs on my way out as to what was taking place as the Church looked as though it was under siege.
I was told that a Thanksgiving Mass for the life of Lance Corporal Tom Keogh, 25th August 1985 – 7th March 2010 was taking place this afternoon. Apparantly he grew up in this area and his family wanted the Catholic Church opposite to help them in their grief.
Having just returned from the service which I really felt I wanted to attend, I just had to write a few words. Lance Corporal Tom Keogh was yet another young man taken from this world whilst serving in Afghanistan.
The Church was overflowing with those wanting to pay their respects and many of us were moved to tears during and at the end of the service especially when the haunting tones of the Reveille and the Band and Bugles of The RIFLES played ''High on the Hill''
Yet another of our young, gallant men returned to the U.K. but this time it was so different to actually see it at first hand instead of so impersonally on the television screen.
I felt I just had to write this small post in acknowledgement of one more futile passing!
Oh-oh Jacky . . . you're about to put me on my soapbox !!
Yep, war is very destructive and only necessary for those who like power for not very good reasons. And mostly, it's all about man's ego.
Money = Power (and force). This is what the world has come to strive for.
But what is the use of Power except to use it against someone?
No-one wants to be forced against their will. So as long as money is involved, there will be war.
If the amount of money put into war and 'defence' was used for other things, there would be balance, strength and purpose in rebuilding this world for the REAL GOOD of all people.
The world has become so off-balance that we have disrupted the whole nature of this earth. For this single individual to be honoured and thanked for his giving his life to 'fighting for the good of Britain', is unfortunately only lip service to the futility of war.
While we might honour one, it is covering up the many, many other individuals who die in the cause of lust for Power, but who we don't know about. They are never honoured for their bravery, courage in the face of what the love of money and power has produced in this world.
I'm not talking about a few hundred or thousand people, I'm talking about millions !
Yeah – while we are safely in our own little havens, millions of peoples lives are lost or taken for the want of Power and Money to use in War.Who cares about the people who starve to death because their governments want to use the money collected to fight against other nations and then have lavish funerals to honour the men who died serving for their country?
Just remember – for every one person that we know about via media or other means, there are another million that we don't know about . . . it is rather shocking but somehow we prefer to celebrate Might, Strength and Power rather than simple humanity.
Petals – Thank you for writing about your experience. It is a powerful thing to see firsthand the ordinary people who want to remind the fallen soldiers family and the living soldiers that their sacrifices are recognized.
Unfortunately there is a war going on at this time. I do not personally agree with it, but I definitely honor those who are in the military that are involved. I support our military and their families. These very brave men and women fight ultimately for freedom and justice for all people. The majority of the military men and women are providing the ultimate service for their country and should be highly honored. I do believe this whether I agree with the war or not.
Here, if we have a fallen soldier come home, we line the streets from the airport to the service. There are thousands that do this. I have stood there with my American flag in hand because with all of my heart I want to let the family know that their son or daughter did not die in vain, that I honor the sacrifice and that I support our troops still not home yet. I live in a military based town. Our entire community supports the troops. We help wounded troops with housing needs, therapy and coverage. When a ship comes back to port, thousands line up to cheer them home. There is news coverage of troops who need help. There are letter and care package drives so we let the serving troops know they are not forgotten ever.
I personally cannot wait for the day that I can stand there with my flag to waive at all of the soldiers returning with the days of war behind them. Until then, I pray for wisdom of all our leaders, for peace, for our wounded, for their safe keeping, for their families and for the end of this war.
-jenn
Well said Butterflies.
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