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| Band of brothers, and father | | |
Sponsor |  penman2 | May 8, 5:38pm | ' Major Danny Mackness has come under fire in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, and survived a bomb blast in Northern Ireland - but in the last five months he has endured the most harrowing time of his 26-year army career, he says.
Stationed in Celle, Germany, with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Anglian Regiment, Maj Mackness has not been in danger. Instead he is facing what he has found to be a far greater trauma - having a loved one in a combat zone.
For the past five months the major's 21-year-old son, Royal Military Policeman Lance Corporal Shane Mackness, has been stationed in Basra. And before long he and all three of his sons will be serving in the southern Iraqi city.
The scheduled deployment this month is thought to constitute the largest family group in one battle zone since World War II. '
' Maj Mackness admits he feels pleasure and pride that all three of his sons followed him into the Army.
"I am proud of the fact that they have stepped up to the mark, decided to serve their country," says the 45 year old.
"I am proud they have got the guts to do it, when others stand in the background. I just don't want them to stand too far forward," he admits. '
' Maj Mackness got a hint of what he and his sons can expect in the months ahead during a reconnaissance mission to Basra in January.
He experienced seven rocket attacks during the three-day visit, one of which occurred while he was catching up with his youngest son, Shane.
"We dived for cover under my bed," says Maj Mackness. "It was quite a strange experience taking cover with my son."
The seasoned soldier has complete confidence in the training his sons have received in preparation for their deployments, so is offering straightforward fatherly advice along the lines of: 'Don't play the hero and don't go looking for trouble.'
But he admits: "They are young men - they are going to do whatever they feel in the moment. In the heat of the moment they are not going to listen to grisly, old dad."
The family is due to be reunited in time for Christmas. '
Lets hope no harm comes to them. I feel so sorry for the wife/mother.
Full story here, with pictures and videos. |
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Sponsor | | Journey | May 8, 7:34pm | Made me recall this:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.
Dear Madam,--
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln |
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Sponsor | | penman2 | May 9, 1:22am | Thanks for sharing those insights - I was not aware of them.
Let's hope that nothing like that happens here. You would think that some attempt might be made to separate them, even if they all joined the same regiment.
There must be similar family groups at present in the US and other armed forces. |
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| Band of brothers, and father | | |
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