Help for heroes

[Rog Ball 01]

I have just seen the re-run of last nights X Factor programme.

I intensly watched the piece on the Help for Heroes and the song, and without telling fibs, it brought tears to my eyes (even to a man of 61).

Without doubt, over the years 1 RWF/1 RW have been fortunate in not losing a lot of men in the conflicts that we have been involved in. We have however had men who have suffered major injuries and I am sorry to say that in the future that we will loose men or have more seriously injured people.

Outsiders (i.e. Jo Public) are not full aware what goes on and I am pleased that the record that has been released by the contestants of X Factor will bring in money and that the proceeds will go to those who need it now (service patients in hospitals) or in the future (medical discharged servicemen).

[davecrim]

Pte Sam Winkless from the 2nd Bn was present. The boys are also off to the James Bond film (in No 2's) Wed night.

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[eglen john]

Rog,i had this sent to me and as you, i also had a lump in the throat, i wonder if it will have the same effect for other's.




Her hair was up in a pony tail,

her favourite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at school,

and she couldn't wait to go.



But her mummy tried to tell her,

that she probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand,

if she went to school alone.



But she wa s not afraid;

she knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates

of why he wasn't there today.



But still her mother worried,

for her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again,

she tried to keep her daughter home.



But the little girl went to school

eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees

a dad who never calls.



There
were daddies along the back wall,

for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently,

anxious in their seats



One by one the teacher called

a student from the class.

To introduce their daddy,

as seconds slowly passed.



At last the teacher called her name,

every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching,

a man who wasn't there.



'Where's her daddy at?'

She heard a boy call out.
'She probably doesn't have one,'

another student dared to shout.



And from somewhere near the back,

she heard a daddy say,

'Looks like another deadbeat dad,

too busy to waste his day.'



The words did not offend her,

as she smiled up at her Mum.

And looked back at her teacher,

who told her to go on.








And with hands behind her back,

slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child,

came words incredibly unique.



'My Daddy couldn't be here,

because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be,

since this is such a special day.



And though you cannot meet him,

I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy,

and how much he loves me so.



He loved to tell me stories

he taught me to ride my bike

He surprised me with pink roses,

and taught me to fly a kite.



We used to share fudge sundaes,

and ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him.

I'm not standing here alone.



'Cause my daddy's always with me,

even though we are apart

I know because he told me,

he'll forever be in my heart'






With that, her little hand reached up,

and lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat,

beneath her favourite dress.




And from
somewhere in the crowd of dads,

her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter,

who was wise beyond her years.



For she stood up for the love

of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her,

doing what was right.



And when she dropped her hand back down,

staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft,

but its message clear and loud.



'I love my daddy very much,

he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here,

but heaven's just too far.



You see he is a soldier

And died just this past year

When a roadside bomb hit his convoy

and taught brave men to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes,

it's like he never went away.'

And then she closed her eyes,

and saw him there that day.



And to her mother's amazement,

she witnessed with surprise.

A room full of daddies and children,

all starting to close their eyes.



Who knows what they saw before them,

who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second,

A they saw him at her side.



'I know you're with me Daddy,'

to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers,

of those once filled with doubt.



Not one in that room could explain it,

for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her,

was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.



And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,

by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing,

that heaven is never too far.

[anitacorbett]

Havent heard the song yet but the words made me cry. Its beautiful.
Here's to dads everywhere who are no longer here for whatever reason, cos they're all heroes in their childrens eyes.
Anita x

[scorch]

lovely song i myself have not heard it yet.
but on a more somber note update on Cpl Dan Shean
he has gone back to Selly Oak this weak to have the remainder of his foot broke so this will enable him to walk on the heal rather than on the injury which is causing a lot of blisters and pain for himself. so if anybody is is the area of selly oak i am sure he would love a visit.
sorry to jump on this thread
jas

[keith Jones 14]

I can honestly admit that I had tears in my eyes when I heard the song during the X factor programe, trying to hide away the tears from my wife June and son Alun was very difficult.
WELL DONE TO OUR HEROS

[davecrim]

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[Rog Ball 01]

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Thanks Dave. Apt that it is being shown on the night of the Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall.

[5haron]

Tony and I were just watching this news segment on the bbc. T started to sing along and I asked how he knew this song - Dad used to sing it to me and Gary when he got drunk :)) T knew all the words so I'm wondering how often Patty was drunk :)

http://www.rolfharris.com/Music/newsingle.htm

A wonderful Song and very fitting. Reminds me of the Robert Graves Poem from the Faeries and Fusiliers anthology:

THE NEXT WAR

You young friskies who today
Jump and fight in Father's hay
With bows and arrows and wooden spears,
Playing at Royal Welch Fusiliers,
Happy though these hours you spend,
Have they warned you how games end?
Boys, from the first time you prod
And thrust with spears of curtain-rod,
From the first time you tear and slash
Your long-bows from the garden ash,
Or fit your shaft with a blue jay feather,
Binding the split tops together,
From that same hour by fate you're bound
As champions of this stony ground,
Loyal and true in everything,
To serve your Army and your King,
Prepared to starve and sweat and die
Under some fierce foreign sky,
If only to keep safe those joys
That belong to British boys,
To keep young Prussians from the soft
Scented hay of father's loft,
And stop young Slavs from cutting bows
And bendy spears from Welsh hedgerows.
Another War soon gets begun,
A dirtier, a more glorious one;
Then, boys, you'll have to play, all in;
It's the cruellest team will win.
So hold your nose against the stink
And never stop too long to think.
Wars don't change except in name;
The next one must go just the same,
And new foul tricks unguessed before
Will win and justify this War.
Kaisers and Czars will strut the stage
Once more with pomp and greed and rage;
Courtly ministers will stop
At home and fight to the last drop;
By the million men will die
In some new horrible agony;
And children here will thrust and poke,
Shoot and die, and laugh at the joke,
With bows and arrows and wooden spears,
Playing at Royal Welch Fusiliers.

[ap1]

Cheers Sha, thats outstanding. I've never bothered much with the poetry stuff from within the regiment, I will have to get a copy of that book.

Thanks again