rickfinn2013 Loc: Mesa ,Az

The video was sent to me from what the comments show this was put together by a Brit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pKzAZc3So8

John Evans

Yes, I would agree that it was sent to you by a Brit BUT it gives a very false and inaccurate impression as to what happens here when our troops are brought home.

You need to bear in mind that casualties are brought in to an RAF base which is located in the countryside quite far from any large city. For many years now and sadly all too-frequently the citizens of a small country town (Wooton Bassett - now Royal Wooton Bassett in recognition of the care and devotion shown by the townspeople on these sad occasions) near the base have indeed lined the streets of this small town to pay tribute. The approaches to the town are also used where road/traffic conditions permit by townsfolk and visitors alike. However, this is a quiet, rural area not traversed by a major highway and there is really only a small population around there. The Mayor and other dignitaries turn out every time just as in Canada - it is simply that the scale of the population of the area is much smaller than that shown in the Canadian version. From Wooton Bassett a cortege takes the deceased to another RAF base where appropriate arrangements are in place. These are above all regarded as supportive, deeply personal family events, not some sort of media event. That said, if Canadians wish to do things differently then they should do so - put it down to national cultural differences.

By the way, I have visited Canada a number of times and love the people and the country. In fact were I not an Englishman I would wish to be a Canadian.

Most importantly, the wishes of families are given absolute priority and some do not wish to have their grief exposed in a fashion more reminiscent of a Hollywood production.

The British are not known for being a demonstrative people and we often tend to downplay events.

Finally, I cannot understand why any Briton would wish to report in the terms used on the YouTube item. As I say, it gives a most inaccurate and misleading impression.

rickfinn2013 Loc: Mesa ,Az

I agree It goes against my my encounters with the British.

My dad's ancestry {Hinckley} Comes from Kent England.

Who ever placed the video may not been British at all.

Remus Loc: Norfolk, UK

All countries receive back their fallen with respect and reverence. They just do it in different ways. Who is to say one way is 'better' than another. If the compiler of that video is trying to say "We grieve better than you" then he is an idiot who needs to grow up.

Deejay Loc: Norwich, UK

Well said, Remus.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Robbie7 Loc: Northampton. England

Hi Rick :-) What I am wondering is why you bothered to post this in the first place..hmmm..care to reply?

cudakite Loc: San Antonio

Not ashamed to admit this made me tear up, but in a good way. Something about genuine honor and goodness demonstrated with pride gets me every time. Thank you very must for sharing. You, sir should be a Texan!

Raider Fan Loc: Lake County, IL.

This is a very good film and I liked it very much. A few years ago a movies was shown on HBO titled 'Taking Chance'. A story about a Lt. Col. That volunteers for body escort duty to taken a fallen hero home to be buried. I have been to Canada many times and I have always been impressed with their national pride. Flags fly everywhere and not just one or two but many of them.

John Evans

Yes, it was an interesting film - but, as I aid before, very different from what happens in the UK on these occasions. BUT that is largely a matter of the different nature of the area around the RAF base near Royal Wooton Bassett which is only a small market town way out in the countryside.

Sadly there is a good deal of misguided comment around regarding the Briish people ans their armed forces. I have recently seen something which suggested that our troops are "unable" to go out in public wearing their uniforms because the people are "anti army", etc.) What absolute crap. I know in my part of the UK our soldiers, airmen and sailors are highly regarded and made welcome wherever they go. If a guy walks into my local pub in uniform there is a stampede to buy him a drink. And that is as it should be in my opinion as I wore army uniform myself at one time - including tartan trews !!!


Also, like you and many other guys, I get pretty tearful whenever one of these homecoming events is shown on our TV news broadcasts. There was another one just a couple of nights ago.

Strangely the only time I ever saw anything similar to the Canadian film was on the occasion of the funeral of Princess Diana when the coffin was taken from London to be buried in the grounds of her childhood home. I kind of think that such a display of what was almost mass hysteria on that day would happen now that we have been told rather more about her. Maybe... but maybe not !!!

John Evans

Sorry - correction. In the last sentence of the above I typed "I kind of think that such a display...... What I meant to say was "I kind of DOUBT that such a display.........."

lateron Loc: Yorkshire, England

The policy of not returning dead servicemen's bodies to the UK for burial was a policy of the M.O.D., NOT the british people. I was in Cyprus in 1957/58/59 when a British Airman was Not flown home until the local Servicemen had a 'whip-round' to pay for the body to be returned!! (I remember it well!). It should also be remembered that the 'Royal' was not an M.O.D. award to Wootton Bassett, but was awarded by the Crown! (In recognition of the transport via RAF Lyneham of the corpses created in OUR name!!!). Please allocate the blame where it truly lies - in general, the British HAVE respected their dead even though it may take a different form to that of Canada or the USA!!