Intro Hi One And All.

[Keith furlong]

Hi everyone my name is Keith and I served with the 4 battalion the royal regiment of Wales TA. I served for 3 year's and enjoyed every minute of it . I did my full basic training Litchfield. I know I'm only a lowly TA or stabs as we were fondly known as so please be gentle with me.

 

[Smiffy]

Don't you worry about being TA mate you did your bit.
Welcome to Mi.Net

 

[Bombardier]

Welocome mate look forward to seeing your photos and posts . As Smiffy said it does not matter that you were TA , infact you would be welcome here if you had no service at all.

 

[Keith furlong]

Thanks for your kind words . I got talking to the head of the British Legion here and he invited me to join but I feel a fraud as I seen no action but we were on standby on the start of the first gulf war as they were expecting massive casualties but thankfully it didn't go that way. He told me I could help with collections on poppy day and also invited me to march as a veteran but that's were I feel a fraud. The guys and girls who March have campaign medals and all I have is my beret .I feel ashamed and uncomfortable even talking about my time. What's your views on it.

 

[Bombardier]

Well Keith I would say this;
It is not the act of going on Ops and getting medals that you should be proud of, it is the fact that you made yourself available and ready to act when you got the calling. Territorial, reserve or Regular makes no difference to me buddy.
You should not feel ashamed when you march with your brothers and sisters on remembrance parades, you should be proud of the fact that you would have done what was required.
Medals or no medals, I would be proud to march next to anyone who was in your position. Oh and on a final point, your beret is the most important piece of kit your wear, it defines you, its your corps, your regiment and thats what matters mate.

 

[BrassMonkey]

Well Keith I would say this;
It is not the act of going on Ops and getting medals that you should be proud of, it is the fact that you made yourself available and ready to act when you got the calling. Territorial, reserve or Regular makes no difference to me buddy.
You should not feel ashamed when you march with your brothers and sisters on remembrance parades, you should be proud of the fact that you would have done what was required.
Medals or no medals, I would be proud to march next to anyone who was in your position. Oh and on a final point, your beret is the most important piece of kit your wear, it defines you, its your corps, your regiment and thats what matters mate.

So true, well said @Bombardier
Be proud @Keith furlong and march alongside your brothers and sisters

 

[Jack-Sparrow]

Stay proud Keith you have very right to be so.
Welcome to our humble site mate, you will enjoy it. It is probably one of the best military websites I have visited although I get little time online these days.

 

[Keith furlong]

Thank you all very much again for that. I would be more than happy to collect for the BL but just don't know about joining. It's difficult to explain but when I see the vets lining up I would stand out like a sore thumb. It's odd that 31 years my beret was worn and worn with pride but now I feel uneasy wearing it for a few hrs on one day a year.

 

[Firefox]

Welcome mate and get yourself on parade pal, medals don't make the soldier

 

[Keith furlong]

Thanks for all your support. I will not dwell on my feelings anymore as whats hapend especialy last night changes everything.

 

[Bombardier]

Thanks for all your support. I will not dwell on my feelings anymore as whats hapend especialy last night changes everything.

Would you like to share what happened with us?, if not its no drama mate.
Hope it wasnt too serious

 

[Bombardier]

Cancel my last buddy, I was having a brain fart. I thought you were referring to something that happened to you personally but I realise you mean the terror attack now

 

[Keith furlong]

Thanks mate. She was diagnosed with a Brain tumour 6 years ago. she underwent a 17 hr operation to remove it. However, she didn't come out of it unscathed. She's badly epileptic, partially paralysed, partially def and blind, she has problems swallowing, poor qu ordination and balance etc. some times just one disability gets to much for both of us to be able to cope with without further medical intervention. However when disability's converge at there worse together then its long hospital stays and worry. But, please no sympathy as the way we all look at this is it could be allot worse so we as a family are thankful for that.

 

[Bombardier]

But, please no sympathy as the way we all look at this is it could be allot worse so we as a family are thankful for that.

Well said mate and stay strong, I wish you and your family all the best

 

[Head Shot]

Sorry to hear about your wifes condition mate. As bombardier said stay strong

 

[Xcalibur]

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