A chance to say thank you (From Bournemouth Echo)

A chance to say thank you

8:30am Saturday 24th July 2010 in

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IT has been another black week in Afghanistan. On Thursday, the bodies of four British servicemen were repatriated amid the now very familiar scenes of an RAF jet touching down at Lyneham and the solemn bearing of coffins down the ramp.

Staff Sergeant Brett Linley, a bomb disposal expert died on Saturday as did Sgt David Monkhouse of the Royal Dragoon Guards. Senior Aircraftman Kinikki Griffiths and Marine Jonathan Crookes died on Friday.

Two soldiers were shot dead in Helmand on Wednesday while trying to help a wounded comrade.

It brings the total of British deaths in June and July to 35.

The rate of fatalities is running at about twice the level of last year and the toll is now 324 service personnel killed since the Afghanistan operation began.

It is against this backdrop that The Rifles will parade though Bournemouth tomorrow and accept the freedom of the town.

The Rifles was created out of the merger of several regiments, including the Devon and Dorsets and has suffered more losses in Afghanistan, 45, than any other unit with the exception of the Royal Marines. Among the fallen are local heroes Mark Hale, Phil Allen and Jonny Allott.

Sunday is our opportunity to say thank you to The Rifles, to everyone serving in Afghanistan and most especially to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Please be there if you can. All that we have to give up is our time.