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Free toys for kids of armed forces serving in Afghanistan
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I was also thinking this when reading the op thread. (and no i am not unemployed.)
I know what you're saying, but it's not the childs fault. I'm sure given the choice they'd rather have their mum/dad at home safe with them rather than a toy. It's rrp will be £25, but as we all know the mark-up on tiny bits of plastic and loads of packing is huge. It certaily won't cost £25 per child!
My hubby will serving away this Christmas, but won't qualify for the toy. I'm just thankful he's not on the frontline this time. It's easy to sit at home and comment about the forces being in full time employment, op bonus, seperation allowances and reduced payments in lieu of council tax. What we all forget is that that are serving for 4+ months away and are without the home comforts that many prisoners now take for granted. Yes, it's their job and yes they're getting paid do it. However, remember Afghanistan is in no way an easy ride. People die, people are injured and the lucky ones come home, but they will all have have nightmares and flashbacks.
As a wife of someone serving, my favourite saying is "if you're not behind our troops, please feel free in stand in front of them" Perhaphs this is a huge PR stunt, but can't we all just take it for face value that it's an extra gift for a child for whose life is currently upside down.
Yes our military are in full time employment, yes they do get a bonus for serving in a war zone. But do you think that makes up for turning a childs life upside down?
Have you spent time with a child whos Daddy is away for 6 months, who cries herself to sleep, sees her friends Daddys pick them up from school or watch them in a school play, and wonder what she has done wrong and why her Daddy can't be there?
I fully appreciate the situation people find themselves in due to unemployment and those who has been made redundant, but that child in that household has the stability of their parents being there.
Our forces kids don't get enough help, so such a lovely gesture to them to show they are being thought about, their parents make huge sacrifices, we all know some don't come home.
I thank the companies taking part I think it is a fantastic scheme. My hubby will thankfully be home for Christmas this year after serving 6 months in Afghanistan.
You could say we have put ourselves in this situation, he doesn't have to serve, he choose to continue after having a family. Yes, all true, but without men and women like him where would we be?
Rant over.
can we not have one thread where those with nothing nice to say just say nowt??
BLT you only ever seem to kick in with something negative- really, why bother???
Yes, my husband is in the Armed Forces. Yes, we are both employed. Yes, we do live in a house that is provided for us. Yes we do have 3 children and probably a lot more than a lot of people and we appreciate that. But what we don't have is the 'cushy life' that some people believe service families have.
My husband is currently back out in Afghanistan - for his 2nd tour of duty this year. He missed last Christmas at home with his family, the children's christmas plays, carol concerts, seeing his children unwrapping their presents on Christmas morning. He's missed birthdays, parent's evenings at school, starting new schools, wedding anniversaries - the list is endless.
Our children have gone for weeks without speaking to him as communication is diffcult sometimes. When he does phone, they get angry because he isn't there and refuse to speak to him.
He chose to be in the forces and I chose to marry him knowing the kind of life that we would have. I think some of you self-righteous people who think that the forces are so 'hard done by' need to wake up and listen to yourselves. We are just trying to do the best for our children and by choosing to take this career path, my husband is doing this for our family.
The next time your child needs a hug from their parent - you'll be there to give it to them, you'll be there on Christmas morning to watch their faces as they open their presents, you'll be there to help them read their reading books for school, you'll be there when first steps are taken etc, etc, etc. Just remeber those who won't.
Hopefully my children will have their daddy home for Christmas this year. Just give service families a break - I don't think that you can make any kind of judgement about the quality of the lives we lead unless you've actually experienced personally.
I often hear this phrase said - what does it really mean?
The way I read it, it's saying that "if you don't support the Forces, they'll shoot you".
Can someone please explain for me - it can't mean this, surely it can't, but I'm not sure what else it could mean, if you get me?
(PS - sorry to hear your husband's deployed for Christmas; hope he gets through the tour in one piece and safely back to you and the kids)
It's the internet - it's not real!
I don't think that is the meaning, I think what the phrase is intended to mean is that if they don't support them then maybe they should try taking their place (ie stand in front of them) on the front line, and see what it is like to be in a war zone, or to see how it affects their lifestyle and the lifestyle of family and friends - it's a bit like the phrase "put your money where your mouth is" - if you think it's and easy job then try it for yourself.
Hope that helps
Can you please keep this thread on topic, and not turn it into a 'Armed Forces Bashing' thread.
Regards,
Alias
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