Comparisons

This week I read in the papers that a businessman in the west country, Karl Winn, 60, of Taunton who runs a web design business (WebEurope) had been letting forth, with some vigour, just how little he cared for the countries armed forces.

He said he would rather 'recruit ex-drug dealers, convicts and child molesters' than employ former servicemen or women”.

Interesting prospect I must conceded, but one that I feel compelled to study more.  Given that soldiers in their hundreds are fighting for their lives in Afghanistan (and probably for ours too unless we want the followers of the Taliban here in Britain detonating bombs!) while this businessman is essentially saying that he would prefer to have a paedophile to have direct contact with him, his family and the families of all the people he would be in contact with.  Well I suppose that may be a bit of an assumption but I feel its pretty close.  In the same week I read the following citation from the press about one of our many decorated heroes but one who’s name was familiar to me through my own regimental association website – It was that of Captain Wayne Owers, Royal Logistic Corps.  It goes like this:-

Captain Wayne Edward James OWERS, The Royal Logistic Corps, High Threat IEDD Operator, Helmand Province, March - August 2009

Captain Owers operated with every Battle group and the Brigade Reconnaissance Force during a phenomenally intense period. He has rendered safe and exploited 93 lEDs; the greatest quantity ever dealt with in a single operational tour by a British Operator. Such courage and resolute determination to complete tasks irrespective of the risk to his life has been inspirational and served to instil real confidence in commanders and subordinates alike, enabling countless missions to succeed and has directly saved innumerable lives.

Thank heavens for Captain Owers, QGM and fortunate for us that we will never have to rely upon Mr Winn for our protection or indeed in my case for a job!