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?
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