I remember the men who I served alongside

IN response to Stan Green’s letter on Remembrance Sunday ( Newbury Weekly News, September 24).

No Stan Green, your prejudice epitomises a view of someone who has not had to make really critical personal sacrifices for the good of other people.

Servicemen and women died and were injured (and still are) to create an environment where you are safe to sound out your views.

As an ex-soldier I do not attend Remembrance services as a

‘jingoistic glorification of battles won’. I attend in remembrance of the men I watched burnt alive in a horrendous napalm attack; the young Guardsman who later shared his one luxury of a can of drink with a tourist we rescued, to find she drank all of it; the woman terrified of crossing the fighting lines and likelihood of being raped, whom I tried to reassure; and the young child battered by her mother because she smiled at me, a soldier.

Standing at the service I remember the young soldiers I patrolled with and watched patrol, mainly youngsters taking enormous responsibility and trying to do the right thing.

And I think of the many military charities that exist because politicians, who make grand speeches, do little of merit to provide for those soldiers who come home physically and mentally injured, and for their families and the families of those who do not come back alive. So no, I do not think only of the soldiers involved in the fighting; I think of all who have to cope with the horror of war, and I do not glorify it. But I am thankful for the spirit of sacrifice shown by the British military. PETER STARR

Hurford Drive

Thatcham