As a young naval aviator, I knew at least a couple of folks – myself included – who’d pledged a hundred bucks on the O’Club bar for their friends in case of a fatal mishap. We knew they’d head there anyway. It seemed a nice gesture to offset the expense.
But this rather takes the cake:
David Hart, 23, of York was killed last year in the Sangin district of Helmand province while on a foot patrol.
He was part of the 40 Commando Royal Marines unit, assigned to fight beside U.S. Marines from Camp Pendleton to oust Taliban fighters from their longtime stronghold…
After his death, his family found Hart had designated 50,000 British pounds for a charity that helps wounded service personnel — and 100,000 pounds (about $163,000) for his military and civilian buddies and their girlfriends to go to Las Vegas.
Last month, 32 of them flew to the gambling capital.
“Out of 10, I would give the holiday 11,” Hart’s best friend, Andy Hare, told the Daily Mail. “It was incredible from start to finish. Some of the lads who hadn’t been to Vegas before couldn’t believe what it was like.”
Per mare, per terram, ad Vegas.
The Brits have the “Right Stuff”. We have no better Allies in the world, which shows why the President is such a poor judge of allies as he spurns the Brits to cozy up to France and others who have not been as steadfastly in our corner.
This brilliant lad wanted to make sure his mates were taken care of and in style. Brilliant is too small a word to describe how much class this man had. Awesome – Cheers !
I’ll take the Brits over all others when the US needs someone in our corner. Always.
The ongoing cycle of budget cuts in the UK probably means we’ve seen the last of significant military help from the UK. No carriers, no Harriers or Tornados, no Nimrods, 7k fewer infantry soldiers/Marines from a force of less than 100K. And there is growing anti American sentiment in the population. I’m with you on who I’d want on my side, but it doesn’t look like they are going to be there in the future.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreign-Policy/2010/1020/Big-British-defense-cuts-weaken-Pentagon-s-top-military-partner
Dum Vivimus, Vivamus.
Haven’t seen this since I last read the Road novel.
Their soldiers and sailors are first rate as are their airman but I do like the Australians. They are touched by a different reality the ones I’ve met and worked with.
They must pay Royal Marines very well
I’m sure it was from their version of SGLI.
Marines used to raffle off the kit of their fallen comrade and donate the proceeds to his family. Anyone know if they still do that?
By Sea and Land, for sure. A fine Gentleman unto and after death. Cheers.
Where does a 23 yr old get $163,000???
It’s called insurance.
A tribute worthy of a Royal Marine. It resonated in this house.
Oh, Hell, Yeah! I mind the story of an American sojer who got killed who endowed with his last will and testament, a right rowdy party to celebrate his passsing. In Vegas.
I believe “The Minstrel Boy ” was played and sung, there and then. There was much drinking and carousing.