Comments on: An outlet for tales of war http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/ Shropshire News - Midlands News - Breaking News UK Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:56:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: David Killelay http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-58112 David Killelay Tue, 09 Dec 2008 22:24:27 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-58112 Forces poetry Forces poetry, from within To make you cry or make you grin A smashing site to read and post With very warm welcome from every host Avatars there to bring memories back Quickly put in place, all Thanks to Mac A Poem at first so hard may seem Don’t ever stop, carry on and dream Giving up, not an option or choice Share your thoughts; let us hear your voice If these notions seems absurd See the power of written word It may calm the mind or stem your fear May raise a smile or bring a tear If the words don’t seem quite Right Just carry on enjoy the site Have a go that’s what you should do Put pen to paper and join the crew David Killelay Keep up the good work well done everybody Forces poetry

Forces poetry, from within
To make you cry or make you grin

A smashing site to read and post
With very warm welcome from every host

Avatars there to bring memories back
Quickly put in place, all Thanks to Mac

A Poem at first so hard may seem
Don’t ever stop, carry on and dream

Giving up, not an option or choice
Share your thoughts; let us hear your voice

If these notions seems absurd
See the power of written word

It may calm the mind or stem your fear
May raise a smile or bring a tear

If the words don’t seem quite Right
Just carry on enjoy the site

Have a go that’s what you should do
Put pen to paper and join the crew

David Killelay

Keep up the good work well done everybody

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]]> By: Michaela Turner http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-57442 Michaela Turner Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:40:03 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-57442 I have posted many poems on this wonderful forum and one of my poems has been included in the book Voices of the Poppies. I have to say, that the work being done behind the scenes at FLOW for All is outstanding and those involved deserve so much credit for starting this site. I started writing poetry when my son was first posted to Iraq earlier this year, poetry was my release of the many built up tensions I was experiencing. I have had my work published and I have been told on numerous occasions from many people that my words have brought comfort to others in the same situation as myself. I would highly recommend that people do have a try and write their feelings and emotions down, paper does not speak back, but allows one to offload until they have finished and then they can read it back. Well done FLOW for All a site I will follow and treasure forever. Michaela Turner (aka Kale) proud mother of a serving soldier I have posted many poems on this wonderful forum and one of my poems has been included in the book Voices of the Poppies. I have to say, that the work being done behind the scenes at FLOW for All is outstanding and those involved deserve so much credit for starting this site. I started writing poetry when my son was first posted to Iraq earlier this year, poetry was my release of the many built up tensions I was experiencing. I have had my work published and I have been told on numerous occasions from many people that my words have brought comfort to others in the same situation as myself. I would highly recommend that people do have a try and write their feelings and emotions down, paper does not speak back, but allows one to offload until they have finished and then they can read it back. Well done FLOW for All a site I will follow and treasure forever.

Michaela Turner (aka Kale) proud mother of a serving soldier

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]]> By: Jan Hedger http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-57406 Jan Hedger Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:08:05 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-57406 A short poem I wrote, the words speak for themselves! Jan Hedger Left on the Train Another soldier died today Relegated to page seven Behind the tabloid news of ‘Crack’ celebrities, and Footballers cheating on their wives He deserved better than that Another soldier died today Another family grieves Footnote; I wrote this, after picking up a discarded newspaper off the train, and was disturbed that the death of a soldier was indeed on page seven. I couldn’t get it out of my head – hence these words. A short poem I wrote, the words speak for themselves!
Jan Hedger

Left on the Train

Another soldier died today
Relegated to page seven
Behind the tabloid news of
‘Crack’ celebrities, and
Footballers cheating on their wives
He deserved better than that
Another soldier died today
Another family grieves

Footnote; I wrote this, after picking up a discarded newspaper off the train, and was disturbed that the death of a soldier was indeed on page seven. I couldn’t get it out of my head – hence these words.

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]]> By: Jan Hedger http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-57397 Jan Hedger Thu, 27 Nov 2008 13:07:15 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-57397 The hands Flow for All are reaching out for are being grasped. It is time for the general public to show their hands and support too! Pride is a word we must never lose and support, not a passing glance but real and long term. I am proud to be part of Flow for All and to have a poem in Voices of the Poppies, knowing the little bit I give is making a difference. Britain needs to be re united once again. Jan Hedger The hands Flow for All are reaching out for are being grasped. It is time for the general public to show their hands and support too! Pride is a word we must never lose and support, not a passing glance but real and long term.
I am proud to be part of Flow for All and to have a poem in Voices of the Poppies, knowing the little bit I give is making a difference.
Britain needs to be re united once again.
Jan Hedger

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]]> By: A.R.David Lewis http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-57377 A.R.David Lewis Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:39:57 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-57377 An outlet for tales of war, this is a powerful outlet for all those suffering from trauma, As a veteran of Dunkirk, and Normandy, i am proud of the efforts of Mac, and Annie who started it all off, and to have subscribed to their site, and to be included in "Voices of the Poppies" , The work of many of the writers are not published, their efforts give so much help to the many of those who suffer so much, An outlet for tales of war, this is a powerful outlet for all those suffering from trauma, As a veteran of Dunkirk, and Normandy, i am proud of the efforts of Mac, and Annie who started it all off, and to have subscribed to their site, and to be included in “Voices of the Poppies” , The work of many of the writers are not published, their efforts give so much help to the many of those who suffer so much,

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]]> By: Colonel "W" http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56891 Colonel "W" Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:21:23 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56891 I wish to say that this Web-Site is providing for our troops a unique and vitally important service. It is abundantly clear from the experiences thus far in the twin campaigns that we are committed to what may be a long and bitter conflict on both fronts. The BBC Radio 4 program aired last Sunday was an inspiration to us all. The poems and thoughts expressed in that program really made you think and the poem the Mask We Wear struck at the very heart of human emotion. Listen to it here http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/pip/fhdqn. I watched The Fallen on BBC two this weekend and was also deeply moved by the thoughts and deepest suffering of all those involved. It is the turn of this once great nation to stand up and be counted in a way we have not done for far too long. WE MUST support our troops, we have a “duty of care” to support the welfare of those who risk their all for others and for their families too. If we, the great British public do not give support to this cause then we as a nation have no right to call our men and woman to arms in our name. Every business in not just Shropshire but the whole of the UK should give to this cause and as mentioned above the publicity alone must give a good return on such a small investment which could mean the world of difference to our troops and their loved ones. Do not just read this say yes and then falter, as they do not falter for us. I wish to say that this Web-Site is providing for our troops a unique and vitally important service. It is abundantly clear from the experiences thus far in the twin campaigns that we are committed to what may be a long and bitter conflict on both fronts.

The BBC Radio 4 program aired last Sunday was an inspiration to us all. The poems and thoughts expressed in that program really made you think and the poem the Mask We Wear struck at the very heart of human emotion. Listen to it here http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/pip/fhdqn.

I watched The Fallen on BBC two this weekend and was also deeply moved by the thoughts and deepest suffering of all those involved. It is the turn of this once great nation to stand up and be counted in a way we have not done for far too long. WE MUST support our troops, we have a “duty of care” to support the welfare of those who risk their all for others and for their families too.

If we, the great British public do not give support to this cause then we as a nation have no right to call our men and woman to arms in our name.

Every business in not just Shropshire but the whole of the UK should give to this cause and as mentioned above the publicity alone must give a good return on such a small investment which could mean the world of difference to our troops and their loved ones.

Do not just read this say yes and then falter, as they do not falter for us.

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]]> By: Andy Crocker http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56713 Andy Crocker Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:42:04 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56713 My congratulations to FLOW for all. This is a wonderful site and should be fully supported. We all watch with sadness the news articles of what our young brave men have to endure for their country. I am sure that a great many people will benefit from this site and I congratulate Mr Macdonald and his volunteers for all their hard work. I hope that there are many many patriotic Company Directors, Businessmen and women who read this article and show their support for this worthy site. £250 wont even buy them a decent advert in a magazine but in this case will get them a page on the WORLD WIDE WEB and will also show how they support those who have given so much for us. My congratulations to FLOW for all. This is a wonderful site and should be fully supported. We all watch with sadness the news articles of what our young brave men have to endure for their country. I am sure that a great many people will benefit from this site and I congratulate Mr Macdonald and his volunteers for all their hard work. I hope that there are many many patriotic Company Directors, Businessmen and women who read this article and show their support for this worthy site. £250 wont even buy them a decent advert in a magazine but in this case will get them a page on the WORLD WIDE WEB and will also show how they support those who have given so much for us.

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]]> By: Ronnie Myers http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56612 Ronnie Myers Fri, 14 Nov 2008 13:14:20 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56612 Mac, What can i say? Brilliant idea, i love it and shall promote it as far and wide as i can All the very best for the future Ronnie Mac,

What can i say?

Brilliant idea, i love it and shall promote it as far and wide as i can

All the very best for the future

Ronnie

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]]> By: BOBBIE COELHO http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56604 BOBBIE COELHO Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:44:54 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56604 I have used this site and can't praise it enough. I am a Library Assistant and I think that poetry is a good medium for soldiers and ex-soldiers who need to feel they are not alone, that they can read poems posted and also crystalise their thoughts too and who knows where it might lead? To some it could mean salvation, to others the start of a hobby or a new career. You never know until you try. I have used this site and can’t praise it enough. I am a Library Assistant and I think that poetry is a good medium for soldiers and ex-soldiers who need to feel they are not alone, that they can read poems posted and also crystalise their thoughts too and who knows where it might lead? To some it could mean salvation, to others the start of a hobby or a new career. You never know until you try.

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]]> By: Michael Ryan http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56514 Michael Ryan Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:59:53 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56514 I heard the following famous poem by Wilfred Owen recited on the Irish Radio station RTE1 just before 11am on Armistice Day: DULCE ET DECORUM EST Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, 
Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, 
Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs 
And towards our distant rest began to trudge. 
 Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots 
But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; 
Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots 
Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind. Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling, 
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; 
 But someone still was yelling out and stumbling, 
And flound'ring like a man in fire or lime . . . 
Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light, 
As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. 
In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, 
 He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. If in some smothering dreams you too could pace 
Behind the wagon that we flung him in, 
 And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, 
His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; 
 If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood 
 Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, 
 Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud 
Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, 
 My friend, you would not tell with such high zest 
 To children ardent for some desperate glory, 
The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est 
Pro patria mori. -------------------------- Did many survivors of WW1 from Shropshire get recruited into the "Black and Tans" for service in Ireland? I heard the following famous poem by Wilfred Owen recited on the Irish Radio station RTE1 just before 11am on Armistice Day:

DULCE ET DECORUM EST
Bent double, like old beggars under sacks,

Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge,

Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs

And towards our distant rest began to trudge. 

Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots

But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind;

Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots

Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines that dropped behind.
Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! – An ecstasy of fumbling, 
Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; 

But someone still was yelling out and stumbling, 
And flound’ring like a man in fire or lime . . .

Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light,

As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, 

He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.
If in some smothering dreams you too could pace

Behind the wagon that we flung him in, 

And watch the white eyes writhing in his face,

His hanging face, like a devil’s sick of sin; 

If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood 

Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, 

Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud

Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues, 

My friend, you would not tell with such high zest 

To children ardent for some desperate glory,

The old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est 
Pro patria mori.
————————–

Did many survivors of WW1 from Shropshire get recruited into the “Black and Tans” for service in Ireland?

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]]> By: Y Mab Darogan http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56398 Y Mab Darogan Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:33:04 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56398 Very good article star Good to see you are concentrating on important issues now instead of penguins being thrown out of Telford Park Very good article star
Good to see you are concentrating on important issues now instead of penguins being thrown out of Telford Park

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]]> By: Gary http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56370 Gary Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:19:20 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56370 May I pass on my thanks to the Star for publishing this article. I visited the poetry site today and was touched by many of the poems. Especially on this day (Europe has been marking the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I)it's good to know that many young people are aware. Thank you Mr Macdonald and your volunteers. May I pass on my thanks to the Star for publishing this article. I visited the poetry site today and was touched by many of the poems. Especially on this day (Europe has been marking the 90th anniversary of the end of World War I)it’s good to know that many young people are aware.

Thank you Mr Macdonald and your volunteers.

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]]> By: Peter Sanderson http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56331 Peter Sanderson Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:40:42 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56331 Brilliant, I for one will be donating to this cause. This just the sort of facility our forces need. Getting things of ones chest is so important, any decent councellor will tell you that. Well done FLOW FOR ALL and well done The Shropshire Star for supporting this very worthy cause. Great websites all of them. Regards Peter Brilliant, I for one will be donating to this cause. This just the sort of facility our forces need. Getting things of ones chest is so important, any decent councellor will tell you that.

Well done FLOW FOR ALL and well done The Shropshire Star for supporting this very worthy cause. Great websites all of them.

Regards

Peter

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]]> By: Tom Mcgreevy http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56317 Tom Mcgreevy Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:42:47 +0000 http://www.shropshirestar.com/2008/11/11/an-outlet-for-tales-of-war/#comment-56317 I am a Site Moderator for Flow For All, and being an ex-Soldier myself, support this organisation 100 per cent. It is a ' Home from home ', and I don't know how I'd cope without it ! Please support us, so we can help others ! I am a Site Moderator for Flow For All, and being an ex-Soldier myself, support this organisation 100 per cent.
It is a ‘ Home from home ‘, and I don’t know how I’d cope without it !
Please support us, so we can help others !

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