What the US has to say on Afghanistan
“ Afghanistan, was never going to be an easy ride, however looking at the text below makes me wonder if there ever was a strategic plan at the beginning or did the USA really go in blind in an attempt to respond to terrorism”
A top US military official has said he is not convinced his country is winning the war in Afghanistan.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee success in Afghanistan would require more civilian effort beyond the military fight.
"I'm not convinced we are winning it in Afghanistan. I am convinced we can" - Admiral Mike Mullen
Mr Mullen said: "Frankly, we're running out of time.
“I would suggest that it is more like running out of money and the Government is about to loose the gun wielding president to a more passive candidate”
"I'm not convinced we are winning it in Afghanistan. I am convinced we can."
Violence in Afghanistan has soared over the past two years as al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters have regrouped in the remote region between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Mr Mullen said: "These two nations are inextricably linked in a common insurgency that crosses the border between them. We can hunt down and kill extremists as they cross over the border from Pakistan ... but until we work more closely with the Pakistani government to eliminate the safe havens from which they operate, the enemy will only keep coming."
It's nearly seven years since US-led forces toppled the Taliban after the September 11, 2001, attacks.
US commanders in Afghanistan have requested three more combat brigades, about 10,000 soldiers. About 33,000 US troops are already there, including 14,000 who are part of a 53,000-strong Nato military command.
And President George Bush this week promised more troops.
The officials said the West should do more to help Afghans with new investments in roads and other infrastructure, education and crop assistance.
Mr Mullen said: "These are the keys to success in Afghanistan. We cannot kill our way to victory."
He said Afghanistan badly needed a national security force supported by local leaders
“it’s funny that they never mentioned the Trillion Dollar oil supply in the north of Afghanistan”
Ronin will support the troops from UK and around the world in conflict, as they do not have the choice on where and when they will fight
http://www.roninreunited.com
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Ronin salute you!
“TO ALL WHO FELL”
In time of War,
they heeded the call
They took up arms
"Freedom For All"
They went to serve
in a far away land
In battles they fought,
they took a stand
In honour of Country, their duty they performed
For those who died, our Country sadly mourned
There were many who fell and gave their lives
Leaving behind children, mothers, fathers and wives
They fought the fight to "Let Freedom Ring"
In honour of that, their praises we sing
To those who died, we salute you all
And give our thanks for heeding the call
Monday, 8 September 2008
churchill...He is Ronin...are you?
"We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills. We shall never surrender and even if, which I do not for the moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, will carry on the struggle until in God's good time the New World with all its power and might, sets forth to the liberation and rescue of the Old."
- Prime Minister Winston Churchill (after the fall of France)
http://www.roninreunited.com We are Ronin...are you?
Ronin
Ronin daddy
My daddy is a soldier
he’s often gone away
to some far off country
where he has to stay.
I really miss my daddy
and I’m not sure what he does
except he helps other people
who need him very much.
At night when I say my prayers
I ask to keep daddy safe
so that he can come home to us
and sit in his favourite place.
Some nights I can hear mommy cry
when she thinks I’m asleep
I know she misses daddy
and her sadness hurts real deep.
I know that a day may come
when daddy won’t come home
and it scares me even thinking
that we will be alone.
My daddy is a soldier
he’s often gone away
And I am so very proud of him
each and every day.
Come home to us daddy
When your job is done
I know that those people needed you
But they aren’t the only ones.
Friday, 8 August 2008
Thanks Billy
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day".
Henry V by William Shakespeare
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day".
Henry V by William Shakespeare
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
WAGS - military style
If you are a wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend or partner of a military person.....join our military community at www.roninreunited.com
Ronin pay tribute to the brave terry lloyd
Ronin recognise that it is not only the soldiers and other military units that brave the war zones across the world, however it is the media that take as many risks if not more......
Imagine the only weapon you have is a press badge or camera.....
Terry lloyd was one of the most daring reporters of the world press... he was killed on a blue on blue.....
No one will take responsibility in this outrageous incident...
UK: No prosecution over journalist death in Iraq
LONDON (AP) — Prosecutors said Monday there was not enough proof to charge anyone in the death of a British journalist in southern Iraq during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion though forensic evidence suggests he was killed by American forces.
Terry Lloyd, 50, was working for Britain's Independent Television News when his four-man team was caught in crossfire between U.S. and Iraqi forces. The four were among the few Western reporters who covered the fighting on their own instead of embedding with U.S. or British forces.
Lloyd's Lebanese translator also was killed and the body of a French cameraman has never been found. A Belgian colleague survived.
A 2006 British inquest ruled that U.S. forces unlawfully killed the reporter by shooting him in the head as he lay in the back of an improvised ambulance. But Britain's Crown Prosecution Service said Monday it was not possible to say who fired the fatal shot.
"There is insufficient evidence at the current time to establish to the criminal standard the identity of the person who fired the bullet that killed Mr. Lloyd," said Sue Hemming, chief of the prosecution service's counterterrorism division.
She also said there was not enough evidence to single out anyone "responsible for the chain of events" that led to Lloyd's death.
ITN said it was disappointed by the decision and accused American authorities of being uncooperative.
The Pentagon previously said that an investigation into Lloyd's death was completed in May 2003 and "determined that U.S. forces followed the applicable rules of engagement."
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Monday that the Defense Department has never deliberately targeted noncombatants, including journalists, but added that "it has been an unfortunate reality that journalists have died in Iraq."
"We will continue to work with news organizations to do everything realistically possible to reduce the risk on an inherently dangerous battlefield, but we must remember that there are inherent risks in covering a war," he said.
Lloyd's team was traveling to the southern Iraqi city of Basra to investigate a rumor that an Iraqi armored brigade had surrendered when they came under Iraqi attack, forcing them to turn around. American forces, mistaking their cars for enemy vehicles, opened fire.
A civilian minibus taking Lloyd and wounded Iraqis to the hospital was attacked — apparently by American forces, Hemming said.
Forensic evidence showed he was killed by a bullet fired from a U.S. weapon, she said, suggesting he was first injured by a shot from the Iraqis and then was hit by a bullet fired by the Americans at the minibus.
"This was an extremely complex and difficult investigation into what happened in a war zone," Hemming said, adding that "every care was taken in pursuing lines of inquiry and reviewing the evidence."
All at ronin pay tribute to terry and wish his family peace!
Imagine the only weapon you have is a press badge or camera.....
Terry lloyd was one of the most daring reporters of the world press... he was killed on a blue on blue.....
No one will take responsibility in this outrageous incident...
UK: No prosecution over journalist death in Iraq
LONDON (AP) — Prosecutors said Monday there was not enough proof to charge anyone in the death of a British journalist in southern Iraq during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion though forensic evidence suggests he was killed by American forces.
Terry Lloyd, 50, was working for Britain's Independent Television News when his four-man team was caught in crossfire between U.S. and Iraqi forces. The four were among the few Western reporters who covered the fighting on their own instead of embedding with U.S. or British forces.
Lloyd's Lebanese translator also was killed and the body of a French cameraman has never been found. A Belgian colleague survived.
A 2006 British inquest ruled that U.S. forces unlawfully killed the reporter by shooting him in the head as he lay in the back of an improvised ambulance. But Britain's Crown Prosecution Service said Monday it was not possible to say who fired the fatal shot.
"There is insufficient evidence at the current time to establish to the criminal standard the identity of the person who fired the bullet that killed Mr. Lloyd," said Sue Hemming, chief of the prosecution service's counterterrorism division.
She also said there was not enough evidence to single out anyone "responsible for the chain of events" that led to Lloyd's death.
ITN said it was disappointed by the decision and accused American authorities of being uncooperative.
The Pentagon previously said that an investigation into Lloyd's death was completed in May 2003 and "determined that U.S. forces followed the applicable rules of engagement."
Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said Monday that the Defense Department has never deliberately targeted noncombatants, including journalists, but added that "it has been an unfortunate reality that journalists have died in Iraq."
"We will continue to work with news organizations to do everything realistically possible to reduce the risk on an inherently dangerous battlefield, but we must remember that there are inherent risks in covering a war," he said.
Lloyd's team was traveling to the southern Iraqi city of Basra to investigate a rumor that an Iraqi armored brigade had surrendered when they came under Iraqi attack, forcing them to turn around. American forces, mistaking their cars for enemy vehicles, opened fire.
A civilian minibus taking Lloyd and wounded Iraqis to the hospital was attacked — apparently by American forces, Hemming said.
Forensic evidence showed he was killed by a bullet fired from a U.S. weapon, she said, suggesting he was first injured by a shot from the Iraqis and then was hit by a bullet fired by the Americans at the minibus.
"This was an extremely complex and difficult investigation into what happened in a war zone," Hemming said, adding that "every care was taken in pursuing lines of inquiry and reviewing the evidence."
All at ronin pay tribute to terry and wish his family peace!
Monday, 30 June 2008
SOLDIER
A Soldier
There is discipline in A Soldier
you can see it when he walks,
There is honor in A Soldier
you hear it when he talks.
There is courage in A Soldier
you can see it in his eyes,
There is loyalty in A Soldier
that he will not compromise.
There is something in A Soldier
that makes him stand apart,
There is strength in A Soldier
that beats from his heart.
A Soldier isn't a title any man
can be hired to do,
A Soldier is the soul of that man
buried deep inside of you.
A Soldier's job isn't finished after
an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,
A Soldier is always A Soldier
even while he sleeps.
A Soldier serves his country first
and his life is left behind,
A Soldier has to sacrifice what
comes first in a civilian's mind.
If you are civilian -
I am saying this to you.....
next time you see A Soldier
remember what they do.
A Soldier is the reason our land
is 'Home of the free',
A Soldier is the one that is brave
protecting you and me.
If you are A Soldier -
I am saying this to you.....
Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER
Thank God for what YOU do!
Angela Goodwin
FOR ALL SOLDIERS!
For all the soldiers :
You stay up for 16 hours
He stays up for days on end.
*****
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
*****
You complain of a 'headache', and call in sick.
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
*****
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends.
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.
*****
You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
*****
You talk trash about your 'buddies' that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
*****
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
*****
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
*****
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
He doesn't get to eat today.
*****
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
*****
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
*****
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
*****
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
*****
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.
He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
*****
You roll your eyes as a baby cries.
He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.
*****
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
*****
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.
He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
*****
You see only what the media wants you to see.
He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
*****
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.
He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.
*****
You stay at home and watch TV.
He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
*****
You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.
He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long
Thursday, 19 June 2008
Ronin
well it is again with the deepest regreat and with the upmost respect, that we at Ronin are sending our sympathies to families and friends, through our web site that is for The welfare of British UK forces
We hear that today Sarah Bryant, is the first female soldier to be killed in afghanistan. A brilliant tribute was written by her father. Other soldiers were also killed in the explosion, reported to be SAS. Again another blow for British Troops. We hope that people will read these bloggs and sign up to Ronin
Our official title being Ronin Reunited. Additionally in the news that relates to the region is that the Afghan government are looking to gain help from Pakistan in seek the Taliban over their border. Pakistan have said that they resent the Afghanistan government sending troops over the border, however they will do nothing to stop this.
That is obvious, as the build up of our troops will be there for the next 10 years plus, and they don't need to get on the wrong side of them.
We at www.roninreunited.com will continue to build our web site to enable it to be used as a platform to support serving men and women from UK and around the Globe.......help us help them........send our link everywhere!
Monday, 9 June 2008
Dirty tactics claims 100th British life
Military leaders and politicians have paid tribute to the 100 British troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001 after a suicide blast claimed another three soldiers' lives.
The sad milestone came when a lone insurgent detonated an explosive device as a foot patrol from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was returning to base.
Four soldiers were involved in the attack in the Upper Sangin Valley, Helmand Province. They were evacuated to Camp Bastion for treatment.
One was pronounced dead on arrival, and despite medics' efforts another two died from their wounds. The fourth soldier is expected to make a good recovery. Next of kin have been informed and the soldiers are likely to be named tonight, the Ministry of Defence said.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff, said: "Every one of those deaths is a tragedy. Nothing can ever compensate for the loss felt by their loved ones and to them all I extend my deepest sympathies. But make no mistake, the Taliban influence is waning, and through British blood, determination and grit, a window of opportunity has been opened."
But he warned that this progress could "quickly unravel" without a "continuing and energised" international commitment.
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, commander of Task Force Helmand, said the 100th death "needed to be set in the perspective of what we are seeking to achieve here". He said the use of suicide tactics showed the Taliban "no longer enjoy the popular support of the Afghan people".
Defence Secretary Des Browne expressed his sympathy for the relatives, comrades and friends of the three soldiers killed on Sunday.
But the father of a British soldier killed in Afghanistan two years ago predicted that the conflict would turn into "as big a disaster as Iraq".
Anthony Philippson, from St Albans, Herts, said: "They have never learnt from Vietnam. The trouble with guerillas is they never wear uniforms - they disappear into the trees then come back and fight when they want to. The whole thing is an utter waste of time."
The sad milestone came when a lone insurgent detonated an explosive device as a foot patrol from 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was returning to base.
Four soldiers were involved in the attack in the Upper Sangin Valley, Helmand Province. They were evacuated to Camp Bastion for treatment.
One was pronounced dead on arrival, and despite medics' efforts another two died from their wounds. The fourth soldier is expected to make a good recovery. Next of kin have been informed and the soldiers are likely to be named tonight, the Ministry of Defence said.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, Chief of the Defence Staff, said: "Every one of those deaths is a tragedy. Nothing can ever compensate for the loss felt by their loved ones and to them all I extend my deepest sympathies. But make no mistake, the Taliban influence is waning, and through British blood, determination and grit, a window of opportunity has been opened."
But he warned that this progress could "quickly unravel" without a "continuing and energised" international commitment.
Brigadier Mark Carleton-Smith, commander of Task Force Helmand, said the 100th death "needed to be set in the perspective of what we are seeking to achieve here". He said the use of suicide tactics showed the Taliban "no longer enjoy the popular support of the Afghan people".
Defence Secretary Des Browne expressed his sympathy for the relatives, comrades and friends of the three soldiers killed on Sunday.
But the father of a British soldier killed in Afghanistan two years ago predicted that the conflict would turn into "as big a disaster as Iraq".
Anthony Philippson, from St Albans, Herts, said: "They have never learnt from Vietnam. The trouble with guerillas is they never wear uniforms - they disappear into the trees then come back and fight when they want to. The whole thing is an utter waste of time."
waste of time or not, our troops choose a career not the conflicts they fight in...............
We at Ronin salute you!
We are Ronin are you?
from all at Ronin: Our thoughts go out to the families and the men and women at the unit of all the soldiers involved!
Thursday, 5 June 2008
"give them more pay!"
it has been said in todays papers that british soldiers get less than a traffic warden............this is not an advantage that the forces need to see, as 1000's upon 1000's leave every year. I have a security company and pay my officers around £19k a year. At roninreunited .com we want to be a voice of the forces. "We are ronin" will become an household phrase if i had anything to do with it.
Mr.prime minister, let's sort this one out.
more pay for our forces Mr PM
"We Are Ronin.....are you?
Mr.prime minister, let's sort this one out.
more pay for our forces Mr PM
"We Are Ronin.....are you?
Wednesday, 4 June 2008
Painfull memories
Soldier weeps recalling Afghanistan suicide bomb attack
A soldier wept as he recalled his decision to get life-saving treatment for a colleague wounded in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan – while leaving another soldier behind.
WO Simon Edgell, of 1st Bn Grenadier Guards, was faced with the choice of searching the area for Sgt David Wilkinson, 33, who was thrown from his vehicle, or leaving him there and getting another colleague medical care.
He told an inquest at Trowbridge town hall in Wiltshire that, fearing Sgt Wilkinson was dead, he decided to get medical help for Sgt Carl Shadrake, who was bleeding badly from a ruptured windpipe and neck artery.
WO Edgell said he was unable to radio for help because he had to maintain pressure on Sgt Shadrake's wound. He opted instead to alert colleagues at Price base about 10 minutes drive from Gereshk, Helmand Province, where the incident happened last summer.
WO Edgell, who was in a vehicle that had been in front of Sgt Wilkinson's, said: "I made the decision that I had to get the casualties – one bleeding very badly – back to Price.'
"I made the decision to get Sgt Shadrake medical treatment without delay, otherwise I thought he might die."
He broke down as he recalled telling a colleague: "I can't find Dave."
Sgt Wilkinson's body was later found in a drainage ditch. The cause of death was confirmed to be as a result of head injuries.
His widow, Rachel, who was attending the hearing, also burst into tears as she heard surviving soldiers' accounts. Sgt Wilkinson, of 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, had been driving a weapon-mounted Land Rover when a device containing ball bearings was detonated.
The blast, on July 1 last year, injured four other soldiers, one seriously.
Sgt Wilkinson, based at Larkhill, Wilts, had been part of a Grenadier Guards team training the Afghan National Army.
A pair of sandals was found between two sacks beside the road where the explosion occurred. It is thought the bomber hid between the sacks, detonating the device as Sgt Wilkinson's vehicle passed.
David Masters, the Wiltshire coroner, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
On WO Edgell's decision to leave Sgt Wilkinson behind, he said: "In the agony of that moment he has to make a decision.
''He knows that he has one serviceman very seriously injured. He knows he must get to the medical centre as quickly as possible, and that he did – understandably, in my opinion."
The hearing heard that Sgt Shadrake survived his wounds.
"brave on the day....memories to the end"
You are a Ronin!
A soldier wept as he recalled his decision to get life-saving treatment for a colleague wounded in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan – while leaving another soldier behind.
WO Simon Edgell, of 1st Bn Grenadier Guards, was faced with the choice of searching the area for Sgt David Wilkinson, 33, who was thrown from his vehicle, or leaving him there and getting another colleague medical care.
He told an inquest at Trowbridge town hall in Wiltshire that, fearing Sgt Wilkinson was dead, he decided to get medical help for Sgt Carl Shadrake, who was bleeding badly from a ruptured windpipe and neck artery.
WO Edgell said he was unable to radio for help because he had to maintain pressure on Sgt Shadrake's wound. He opted instead to alert colleagues at Price base about 10 minutes drive from Gereshk, Helmand Province, where the incident happened last summer.
WO Edgell, who was in a vehicle that had been in front of Sgt Wilkinson's, said: "I made the decision that I had to get the casualties – one bleeding very badly – back to Price.'
"I made the decision to get Sgt Shadrake medical treatment without delay, otherwise I thought he might die."
He broke down as he recalled telling a colleague: "I can't find Dave."
Sgt Wilkinson's body was later found in a drainage ditch. The cause of death was confirmed to be as a result of head injuries.
His widow, Rachel, who was attending the hearing, also burst into tears as she heard surviving soldiers' accounts. Sgt Wilkinson, of 19 Regiment Royal Artillery, had been driving a weapon-mounted Land Rover when a device containing ball bearings was detonated.
The blast, on July 1 last year, injured four other soldiers, one seriously.
Sgt Wilkinson, based at Larkhill, Wilts, had been part of a Grenadier Guards team training the Afghan National Army.
A pair of sandals was found between two sacks beside the road where the explosion occurred. It is thought the bomber hid between the sacks, detonating the device as Sgt Wilkinson's vehicle passed.
David Masters, the Wiltshire coroner, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
On WO Edgell's decision to leave Sgt Wilkinson behind, he said: "In the agony of that moment he has to make a decision.
''He knows that he has one serviceman very seriously injured. He knows he must get to the medical centre as quickly as possible, and that he did – understandably, in my opinion."
The hearing heard that Sgt Shadrake survived his wounds.
"brave on the day....memories to the end"
You are a Ronin!
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
help for heros..............
charity, servicemen and women,lost limb,PDST, post traumatic stress disorder, army wifes, forces sweethearts,soldiers returning home, military funeral, military honnors,military cross,under fire, away at sea, ....
looks like keywords, well it may but this is the life of our modern Ronin Warriors.....are you ronin? ....We are.... http://www.roninreunited.com
What is a Ronin..............
We use the name Ronin... but why?
Ronin is a Japanese term for master-less samurai. Literally, "one adrift on the waves". Historically members of the samurai caste that have become 'master-less' through the death of their master. However a samurai could also become 'Ronin' due to expulsion for misbehaviour... Cool eh?
We intend to rewite the definition to include modern warriors like you whether you are still serving or have returned to civvy street and need some support and entertainment.
We Are Ronin... Are You?
Ronin is a Japanese term for master-less samurai. Literally, "one adrift on the waves". Historically members of the samurai caste that have become 'master-less' through the death of their master. However a samurai could also become 'Ronin' due to expulsion for misbehaviour... Cool eh?
We intend to rewite the definition to include modern warriors like you whether you are still serving or have returned to civvy street and need some support and entertainment.
We Are Ronin... Are You?
So in todays world, in the british military, the uk forces, and infact international forces.....prove beyond reasonable doubt that they are the modern day, Ronin........
Many servicemen and women loose their way through life once, they have left the military.........Some need a caring hand. At Ronin http://www.roninreunited.com/ we will try to improve the lives of many servicemen and women, regardless if it was the army, navy, royal Air Force or royal marines....Join us on our mission "WE ARE RONIN!..ARE YOU?.... http://www.weareronin.cp.uk/ .....Sign up NOW!
Monday, 2 June 2008
A week at Ronin
We started the site at Ronin just over a week now, and in this time we have nearly 40 users. We were hoping for more, however we appreciate that the site may not be attracting as many members as we initially thought. Ronin, is about the voice of the service men and women that have served and in the next few weeks we want to try and show the direction of the site and how we hope to develop.
In addition, Ronin has helped me considerably in finding my old unit comrades, and if anything is achieved it eill be that alone. Already I am looking at attending 2 reunions this year....
So lets continue over the next few weeks to build..."WE ARE RONIN ARE YOU?....you can find us at http://www.weareronin.co.uk or our preferred title http://www.roninreunited.com
Join Ronin in their journey across the globe of conflict
In addition, Ronin has helped me considerably in finding my old unit comrades, and if anything is achieved it eill be that alone. Already I am looking at attending 2 reunions this year....
So lets continue over the next few weeks to build..."WE ARE RONIN ARE YOU?....you can find us at http://www.weareronin.co.uk or our preferred title http://www.roninreunited.com
Join Ronin in their journey across the globe of conflict
Saturday, 31 May 2008
ARE YOU RONIN...WE ARE
Welcome to RoninReunited.com
by choice or mistake, you have landed on the site of Ronin Reunited - lucky for you, this will be a day that you will never regret - Join The Advance Party!
The Ronin site is not about us, who we are, or what we do to provide this service - it is about the men and women that are members of the site, the largest percentage will be service men and women that have or will be still serving to this day. A small percentage will be "Civvies" civilians that see the site for what it is.
Ronin is THE Online Community Created to Serve The Forces by Providing Offline Support & Resources...
The Ronin site is not about us, who we are, or what we do to provide this service - it is about the men and women that are members of the site, the largest percentage will be service men and women that have or will be still serving to this day. A small percentage will be "Civvies" civilians that see the site for what it is.
Ronin is THE Online Community Created to Serve The Forces by Providing Offline Support & Resources...
We will provide a service for any ex/serving military personal from any country from any theatre of war or conflict....No one will be restricted except from terrorist groups
We will achieve our GOALS by making the site membership led, with teams of people building up networks that will be by service, cap badge, country, ship, flight, regiment....you name it, as long as it fits into a group, we/you will create it. The vision is for groups to be localized for meetings. i.e.: Sheffield, this will be a group of people who meet online, and who can facilitate off line meetings.
The off line meetings will give each other an understanding ear, welfare support, health support advice or specialize in a specific area such as employment, if a member asks a group for help, you/we through our network will support as much as we can.
As administrators of the site, we will not be led by political or religious groups or thinking, where ever troops are we will support regardless of why they are there. We will also support families and friends of those on operational tours.
Be part of a unique site that in 2 years, will be a house-hold name… Subscribe to our Newsletter now and we will issue you week by week progress reports and give you unique opportunities to benefit form your early Ronin support… we can’t do this without you!
We ARE Ronin… Are You?
Ronin Reunited
Ronin Reunited
More than 100 nations, including the UK, have signed a treaty to ban current designs of cluster bombs.
Diplomats have agreed to back an international ban on the manufacture, use or stockpiling of the munitions, following 12 days of talks in Dublin.
Some 111 countries including the US, Russia and China have been urged to reconsider boycotting the treaty.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called the treaty a "big step forward to make the world a safer place".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon welcomed the landmark charter and encouraged all nations to sign up.
In his closing address to the conference, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said: "Rarely have we seen such single-minded determination to conclude a convention with such high humanitarian goals in such a concentrated period of time."
'Work together'
Mr Martin said he ultimately wanted to see the treaty ratified by all member states of the United Nations.
"We must work together to explain and argue for its provisions with those who are not here," he said.
Mr Ban said: "I place the full facilities of the UN at the disposal of member nations to help them secure a speedy ratification."
The draft treaty will be signed by world leaders in Oslo on 3 December and then individually ratified by each nation.
{mosimage}{mosimage}{mosimage}
Cluster bombs have been used in countries including Cambodia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
They are made up of a big container that opens in mid-air, dropping hundreds of smaller individual sub-munitions, or "bomblets", across a wide area.
Countries like the US, India, Pakistan and Israel claim such munitions are highly useful on the battlefield, but opponents say that where the bomblets fail to explode they leave a deadly legacy for civilians.
When details of the treaty were announced on Wednesday, the US said it would not alter its policy.
A statement from the Pentagon said: "While the United States shares the humanitarian concerns of those in Dublin, cluster munitions have demonstrated military utility, and their elimination from US stockpiles would put the lives of our soldiers and those of our coalition partners at risk."
The stockpile of cluster munitions the US military keeps at bases in the UK is one issue which has to be addressed.
The British representative at the talks in Dublin, John Duncan, said the UK would work with Washington to find a solution to the issue.
During the conference, delegates heard from survivors of cluster bomb attacks.
International Committee of the Red Cross official Peter Henby said: "It is sad that it took so long to get here and much more time and energy to implement it. But we have taken a momentous step forward."
Cluster Munitions Coalition spokesman Steve Goose said even nations who had not signed up would now be under pressure not to use the weapons.
He said: "We're certain that nations thinking of using the munitions won't want to face the international condemnation that will rain down upon them because the weapons have been stigmatised now."
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More than 100 nations, including the UK, have signed a treaty to ban current designs of cluster bombs.
Diplomats have agreed to back an international ban on the manufacture, use or stockpiling of the munitions, following 12 days of talks in Dublin.
Some 111 countries including the US, Russia and China have been urged to reconsider boycotting the treaty.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called the treaty a "big step forward to make the world a safer place".
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon welcomed the landmark charter and encouraged all nations to sign up.
In his closing address to the conference, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said: "Rarely have we seen such single-minded determination to conclude a convention with such high humanitarian goals in such a concentrated period of time."
'Work together'
Mr Martin said he ultimately wanted to see the treaty ratified by all member states of the United Nations.
"We must work together to explain and argue for its provisions with those who are not here," he said.
Mr Ban said: "I place the full facilities of the UN at the disposal of member nations to help them secure a speedy ratification."
The draft treaty will be signed by world leaders in Oslo on 3 December and then individually ratified by each nation.
{mosimage}{mosimage}{mosimage}
Cluster bombs have been used in countries including Cambodia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
They are made up of a big container that opens in mid-air, dropping hundreds of smaller individual sub-munitions, or "bomblets", across a wide area.
Countries like the US, India, Pakistan and Israel claim such munitions are highly useful on the battlefield, but opponents say that where the bomblets fail to explode they leave a deadly legacy for civilians.
When details of the treaty were announced on Wednesday, the US said it would not alter its policy.
A statement from the Pentagon said: "While the United States shares the humanitarian concerns of those in Dublin, cluster munitions have demonstrated military utility, and their elimination from US stockpiles would put the lives of our soldiers and those of our coalition partners at risk."
The stockpile of cluster munitions the US military keeps at bases in the UK is one issue which has to be addressed.
The British representative at the talks in Dublin, John Duncan, said the UK would work with Washington to find a solution to the issue.
During the conference, delegates heard from survivors of cluster bomb attacks.
International Committee of the Red Cross official Peter Henby said: "It is sad that it took so long to get here and much more time and energy to implement it. But we have taken a momentous step forward."
Cluster Munitions Coalition spokesman Steve Goose said even nations who had not signed up would now be under pressure not to use the weapons.
He said: "We're certain that nations thinking of using the munitions won't want to face the international condemnation that will rain down upon them because the weapons have been stigmatised now."
WE ARE RONIN...ARE YOU?
http://www.roninreunited.com/
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