We have to take issue with some of the comments in Linda Woods’s letter ‘Killing is so wrong’ (Dorset Echo Have Your Say, July 5).
When Dorchester and Wey-mouth hold their annual parades they are doing so not to celebrate victories but to highlight the contribution the Armed Forces community makes to this country and to remember the sacrifice of those who were killed or wounded in doing so.
Further, neither the government nor the MOD nor veterans are “celebrating” the 100th Anniversary of the First World War. If Linda had been at Dorchester Armed Forces Day and listened to the chaplain at the Civic Service, or read the programme, she would realise how wrong she is.
We agree that killing another human being is wrong. Sadly, however, there are people in this world who still wage war for land and wealth or for some misguided religious reason. An example is Darfur in the Sudan. Since 2003 the UN esti-mates that 300,000 have died, mainly civilians – men, women and children.
Further, about 1.4 million people are in displacement camps in Darfur receiving food aid. Talks have brought about cease-fires but they never last. When terrorists and governments use lethal force to achieve their aims the only realistic solution is for armed forces to disarm those who continue to fight. Sadly, that means that a few have to lose their lives so that many, including Linda, may live in peace.
George Osborne, chairman Roy Dean, secretary Dorchester Royal Naval Association
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