Star's obligation to forces

LETTER - The Shropshire Star would have been in no doubt that the swashbuckling headline "Hero Harry is back home" would ruffle the feathers of those among us whose families have for generations been in the armed forces, and proud to be so.

More especially, however, those families who have recently had their nearest and dearest either severely wounded or returned in body bags under cover of darkness, so as to avoid embarrassing questions regarding inadequate equipment and the futility of these two wars.

Armed service personnel are a "set apart". Regardless of the inevitable banter between the three services, there exists a camaraderie that is difficult to replicate in any other walk of life.

It is that common bond and single-mindedness of purpose that consolidates their understanding of acts of true heroism.

The Shropshire Star must understand its obligation to the families of these brave service men and women who have put their lives on the line, some of whom forfeited their lives carrying out the wishes of our political masters.

It is therefore undesirable to single out one individual and describe him/her as a hero without, at least, some indication of the heroism displayed - which in Harry's case must have been of epic proportions since, as I understand it, he was escorted every step of the way by SAS troopers.

Now that Harry's 10-week "adventure" is over, the top brass can concentrate on the job in hand without this quite unnecessary encumbrance.

Les Chapman, Shrewsbury