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Wales
by Joske Vermeule, September 1
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Jun 14th, 2026
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 441
Learner Plates Off!
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Learner Plates Off!
Joined: Feb 2009
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When Staff Sergeant Andrew McFarlane heard his eighth comrade had died in 24 hours he decided to put pen to paper.
After almost 27 years in the Territorial Army and three international tours he's grown accustomed to attending vigils to remember the dead - but never so many in such a short period of time.
It took Andrew, who serves with the Adjutant General's Corps, less than an hour to write the six verses that are now circulating across the world after his wife put them on her Facebook page.
Speaking from Camp Bastion before the memorial service on Monday he said: "As you can imagine it's a subdued atmosphere tonight. I've been to vigils before but there are just too many happening at the moment.
Sunset Vigil
The news is spread far and wide
Another comrade has sadly died
A sunset vigil upon the sand
As a soldier leaves this foreign land
We stand alone, and yet as one
In the fading light of a setting sun
We've all gathered to say goodbye
To our fallen comrade who's set to fly
The eulogy's read about their life
Sometimes with words from pals or wife
We all know when the CO's done
What kind of soldier they'd become
The padre then calls us all to pray
The bugler has Last Post to play
The cannon roars and belches flame
We will recall, with pride, their name
A minute's silence stood in place
As tears roll down the hardest face
Deafening silence fills the air
With each of us in personal prayer
Reveille sounds and the parade is done
The hero remembered, forgotten by none
They leave to start the journey back
In a coffin draped in the Union Jack Brian your quote from Staff Sergeant Andrew McFarlane is indeed very poignant. It also confirms what we have been saying - we have the finest armed forces in the world. Even amidst such terrible suffering they remain loyal to their country, heritage and vocation.
Rbt Aero8 
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Green & Grown Up Talk Morgan Addict
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You may not want to watch the video clip - its startling. Canadian Sniper in Afghanistan. These video shots are not made through the shooter's telescopic sight, they are made looking through the spotter's scope. The spotter lies right next to the sniper and helps the sniper to find and home in on the target. The sniper is using a 50 calibre rifle. A 50 cal. round is about 7-8 inches long and the casing is about an inch in diameter. The bullet itself is one-half inch in diameter and roughly one and one-half inches long. Pay close attention to the beginning of the video. A Taliban is laying on top of the peak in front of you... when you hear the shot fired.... watch what happens. The sniper is also about a half mile away. http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx176/flomax/Sniper/Sniper/?action=view¤t=Sniper.flv
Last edited by Frank 4x4; 23/07/09 02:08 PM.
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Joined: Sep 2006
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Talk Morgan Guru
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Talk Morgan Guru
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The sniper is using a 50 calibre rifle. A 50 cal. round is about 7-8 inches long and the casing is about an inch in diameter. The bullet itself is one-half inch in diameter and roughly one and one-half inches long. Pay close attention to the beginning of the video. A Taliban is laying on top of the peak in front of you... when you hear the shot fired.... watch what happens. The sniper is also about a half mile away. http://s753.photobucket.com/albums/xx176/flomax/Sniper/Sniper/?action=view¤t=Sniper.flv I can't get the linky to work Frank 
Brian
1970 Morgan Plus 8 - Moss Box (Indigo Blue)
2014 Morgan SP1 (Rocket Red)
2015 Morgan Plus 8 (Rocket Blue)
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 11,535 Likes: 321
Smile, it confuses them Member of the Inner Circle
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Smile, it confuses them Member of the Inner Circle
Joined: Mar 2009
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I can, it did work on my machine, just as a matter of interest are you posting this in response to my comment on open season on politicians ? It would seem just slighly unfair to go sparrow hunting with a blunderbus but I can see the ruthless logic in it 
Everyone loves a Morgan. Even me, unless it's broken again.
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just as a matter of interest are you posting this in response to my comment on open season on politicians ?
I,fortunately, have never been in a conflict where people shoot things at you like this. Those guys in London charged with holding the purse strings have no idea what they have exposed our lads & lassies to as the opposition have these pop guns as well (not sure where they get them. Your idea may just put one up the proverbial and get them moving. 
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Joined: May 2009
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Green & Grown Up Talk Morgan Addict
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I can't get the linky to work Frank Sorry Brian? Double Clicking on the highlighted file should take you straight into my Photobucket where the video plays.. Have another go. 
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Joined: Apr 2009
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L - Learner Plates On
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OP
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Good link Frank.
Those guys can take aim, and fire in between a heartbeat. Some of the targets are a mile away.
dmat
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That brought a lump to my throat dmat, as my eldest son recently joined the Royal Engineers full time following several years in the Territorials. Five days after being posted to Antrim those cowardly b*stards shot those soldiers and pizza delivery boys. That really brings home the fragility of life in his chosen career. He was chosen to be a coffin bearer at the funerals of his colleagues but was reluctant to be in the limelight. He carried out those duties with dignity and dedication, as he does his regular tasks.
He makes us VERY proud.
Steve L.
1996 Plus 8
N22 MOG
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and proud you should be.  dmat
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