Honour for Belthorn reservist soldier in hell of Afghanistan (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Honour for Belthorn reservist soldier in hell of Afghanistan
11:04am Thursday 25th June 2009 in Belthorn
By Ben Briggs
MEDAL: Major Brown
A PAINT factory worker who risked his life as a Royal Marines reservist in Afghanistan has been rewarded for his bravery.
Major Roger Brown, 38, from Belthorn, was awarded the Operational Service Medal for his duty on Operation Herrick 9 in Afghanistan.
Roger manages to mix the routine of life as a research manager at Crown Paints, Darwen, and his services as a volunteer member of the Royal Marines Reserves (RMR) Merseyside.
He joined the RMR in London back in 1993 and was mobilised to Oman, Afghanistan and Norway during his time there.
When he returned to the North West, he joined the RMR Merseyside in 2003 and returned this year to Helmand Province to work with 45 Commando as an Operations Battle Manager at Brigade HQ, where he ensured an appropriate response to incidents.
He was presented with his medal by the Commandant General of the Royal Marines, Major General Garry Robison, at a ceremony in Liverpool.
Roger said: “I am extremely honoured to have been awarded this medal by Major General Robison and proud to have helped the United Kingdom’s military efforts out in Afghanistan.”
The presentation followed extensive 60th anniversary celebrations for the unit.
The Commanding Officer of RMR Merseyside, Lieutenant Colonel Rory Bruce, added: “From my own experience in Afghanistan and elsewhere, once the Marines are out on the ground it is impossible to spot the difference between regulars and reserves – a real testament to their capability.”
Comments(3)
aggressive.onion.vendor
says...
2:59pm Thu 25 Jun 09
Before anyone accuses me of being naive and pointing out that there are lots of nasty people in the world who have to be dealt with.
Look at the history.
Any threat to the flow of oil has always resulted in murky and cynical maneuvers by the west.
One of these was the coup orchestrated to replace the democratically elected socialist government of Iran with the Shah.
As the Shah repressed any opposition then the only meeting places were the mosque.
Hence, the growth of 'radical islam'.
The lives of innocent civilians or soldiers were always secondary to the continuing flow of oil and oil revenue.
holsten pils
says...
5:34pm Thu 25 Jun 09
Things dont change .
aggressive.onion.vendor says...
2:11pm Thu 25 Jun 09
'The Nations Interest' is often a euphemism for the interests of large multi national corporations and hugely cynical politicians.
For as long as people merely do what they are told to do and continue to believe in any cause as long as it is wrapped in a union jack then the world will continue to suffer.
Sometimes it takes more courage to say no, my conscience will not allow me to do this thing.
Following orders has a great many very nasty historical associations.