One of the things that has been strained to an intolerable extent since 9/11 is the compact between the British people, represented by their government, and the armed forces. We are now in a situation where the military is fighting two wars on a peacetime budget.
When injured servicemen and women return home they are not being treated in military only hospitals but instead forced to share their treatment space with those of us who have not served and thus can not understand what they have experienced. While society seems generally uninterested in the efforts of British troops. One of the more damning condemnations of our culture is that the troops’ welfare has only risen to the top of the agenda in August, the traditional silly season month.
So the news that the Post Office is to waive charges on mail sent to British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq is a welcome first step in healing this breach. However, this breach will never be fully repaired until the government gives the forces a budget commensurate with the role it wishes them to play in the world and until we civilians take the time to demonstrate our appreciation for the sacrifices that the forces make on our behalf.
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