20 July 2009
One of the highlights of 2009 for me was when over 300 soldiers from the Second Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, paraded through Hounslow for a reception in the Civic Centre. It was very fitting that we made it clear to the men and women of the battalion how proud we are to have them in our borough.
I was able to say that we will be thinking of them when they are serving in Afghanistan, and that I hoped to see them all return safely. On saying this I was fully aware however that lives could be lost out there.
We have heard today the sad news that a soldier, who served with 2nd Battalion of Fusiliers, died in Sangin, in northern Helmand province, on 19 July.
The fatality takes the UK death toll in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001 to 186, including 17 during the month of July 2009 alone.
I think this tragedy reminds us all that over three thousand miles away from our daily lives, several thousand men and women are putting their lives on the line to help keep this country safe.
Whatever the outcome over the current row over the number of helicopters available to UK troops I am sure that we can all agree that the very least we can do here at home is make sure everything is done to give them what they need to fulfil their dangerous mission, and to reduce the risks as much as we can.
Cllr Peter Thompson
Leader
London Borough of Hounslow
