Lest we forget.

Yesterday was the 10th Anniversary of September 11th.  Yesterday, a decade ago an atrocity was perpetrated against innocent people by other members of the human race.  Yesterday, 10 years ago just under 3,000 people were killed in one foul swoop.  This doesn't take into account those injured by the events of this day.  It doesn't touch on those who have suffered psychological trauma as a result of that terrible day.  The children who lost parents or spouses who lost partners are not covered either.




We must never forget those people and their families.




A few weeks later as a response, on 7th October 2001, a war was started in Afghanistan.  It still goes on.  


Figures as to how many people have been killed during this war are difficult to work out.  However, figures could be as high as 47, 000; Military and Civilian combined. 




We must never forget those people and their families.




Iraq then came back in the radar of the world's superpowers.  Inspections for 'Weapons of Mass Destruction' were hindered in Iraq.  So on the 20th March 2003 Iraq was invaded by the US and UK.  No such weapons were found, the WMD programmes had been abandoned by the Iraqi government. 


Figures for deaths during the Iraqi war are extremely high.  As many as 111, 937 Civilians have been killed in Iraq.  The number of Military is nearly 6,000.


On top of the number of people killed are the numbers of those injured; both physically, psychologically or both.




We must never forget those people and their families.




This one event has led to a lot of deaths.  It doesn't matter to me whether the people who have died are from one of the 115 nations on that dreadful day, from Iraq or Afghanistan.  Innocent people are no longer with us.  As a Christian this kind of event and the subsequent wars need to make me focus on my attitudes to others.  Jesus tells us that we must love our neighbours.  Sometimes they will look like me and sometimes they will not.  I cannot think wrong of a person just because of the country they are from.  Jesus loves all people everywhere.


I didn't agree with these wars but I also firmly believe that once you invade another country you have to stay until the end.  I didn't agree with these wars but I will support the Military and their families.  (Well those that are doing their job within International Laws anyway!!)


Anyway, these are my thoughts.  Well, except Guantanamo Bay and you don't want to get me started on that!

• I have gleaned information for this blog post from Wikipedia pages and http://nymag.com/news/articles/wtc/1year/numbers.htm
• This post doesn't take into consideration the number of Taliban or Insurgents that have been killed or captured.