Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Now that our Christmas Appeal is over, and as our parcels travel across the miles, we ask you now to join us, and light a Christmas Candle of Hope.

2008 has been another difficult year for the British Forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and for their families and friends at home

At 2.00pm on Christmas Day we ask you to light a candle and to take just one minute to pause and think...

...of all our servicemen & women away from home, wherever in the world they may be and to hope for their speedy and safe return.

...of their families, apart at this special time, and to hope they find strength in knowing that they will soon be re-united.

... and to remember those who have lost loved ones and to hope they may find comfort

If news spreads far enough, and we hope it does, then candles will be lit across the world throughout the day and our lads and lassies will know how much they are cared about.

Please join with us and encourage the nations, at least for a moment, to unite in A Christmas Candle of Hope

Last Christmas there were candles lit worldwide - in Germany, Gibraltar, Madeira, USA, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Trinidad, Zambia, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Iraq and Afghanistan.

To add your name to the list and let us know where you will be lighting your candle, email: [email protected]

Lets light up the world with hope this Christmas, and show them that we are thinking of them.

Thanks for reading. xx

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Well I will be showing my support to the troops out there

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I would like to offer that this is a great idea; lighting a candle shows support for both the troops and for peace .... and good news from this side of the pond ... Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan will end as planned in 2011 (tomorrow would be better) in spite of US requests that Canadian troops remain in their present mission in Kandahar ... that still leaves us with a hundred dead so far, and probably more to come ... but it's better than nothing.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Yes I will and yes I will do………

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Sounds like a worthy cause, count me in. Peace and goodwill to all.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I will certainly be lighting a candle on Christmas day in support of our lads and lassies..There is a certain person close to my heart that is out in Bassra with her dog that i pray for her safety everyday
god bless them all

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

oh what a nice thought,, i will do my best to remember them :alright:

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Shall light the candle and pause to think. It's a lovely thought. But like grannyclaret i too will do my best to remember.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Nope to busy with family to bother lighting a candle that will make no real difference to any of the guys and girls out there.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

To each is own………… I was tempted to call you a ****, but I don’t know you and it’s the season of good will, enjoy your day and all my best to your family.

But those that will spare a thought and take the time to light a candle will know that this war won’t stop for Christmas…….some of those lads and lasses will be fighting for their lives, some of them will be our family.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

You heartless scum bag, lets hope nothing happens to your family over the next couple of weeks eh...

Some people have family who are out serving this country that you so live in, and some people just feel sorry that they are there. If lighting a candle offers some hope or comfort to those people, you should not mock . Comments like that are better left in the sicko head you seem to have. I think the rule goes like "Think before you speak".

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

And you would be right doug. Im not heartless and can you please tell me how lighting a candle on your house in Accrington or wherever will bring hope or anything else apart from house fires to the families or people out there? Not being nasty just after an answer.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Its like in the song,,One Voice ,,, It takes just one voice singing in the darkness and everyone will sing.....

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Aleks your certainly entitled to your opinion, but for gods sake at least pause a thought to the hurt your comment will cause.
My own lad was out there last year , away for the third xmas fighting for you to be allowed your ignorance.
For your information lighting this candle will make a massive difference, the differece being if we all adopted your attitude and didnt really give a toss then Morale amongst our servicemen and women would be lost and quite rightly so. why should they put thier lives on the line for those that cant or those that dont really have the bottle to do what they do, but are good at shouting their opinions in a bad light.
I will be lighting a candle along with the many thousands that can be bothered and have the intelligence to see that by doing so it gives our lads and lasses a purpose of knowing that there are some back home that make their job worthwile.
I too will be busy with my family but will find 2 mins to pause a thought.
Merry xmas.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Well it seems there are people who think they have not been affected by terrorism, and obviously dont have family or even friends out in afgahnistan or iraq etc, I dont have family over there, but I have friends who's children could so easily be killed while we eat our christmas dinner, so I see no harm in lighting a candle on christmas day, and not only do I think the lads and lasses out there would like to know we are thinking about them, but think they deserve our thoughts, are entitled to them even, if our servicemen and women had the same attitude as some here, we would have been speaking german long ago.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

how can you say that! u heartless spinless person! you should be happy that there is people who want to join the forces and are over there fighting as if it wasnt for them maybe on christmas day you would not be busy with family you would be in iraq/afgan fighting due to britian haveing national service so just think of that! there is 1440minutes in a day so on christams day takeing just two minutes out to light a candle and stop and think about all the people over thier who wish "they could be busy with there family" than over there fighting would leave 1438minutes to over presents, met family eat turkey and get drunk! saying your to busy is just like why on november 11th do we stop and pause for two minutes? i will be lighting a candle as myself am joining one of the forces next year and if i am out there i would like to know that there is people thinking of us and helping us keep morale up!

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Aleks joined the forces, but he got booted out

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Correct you are not being heartless.... to be that you have to have a heart:
Its what it symbolises, and those that have friends !!! and family out there it means a lot:

Lets hope you never have to sit at home, watching the news when our armed forces have been killed out there: Wondering if its going to be one of your loved ones:

Is that really all you have to contribute to this thread... your other comments on other threads are just as STUPID .... why bother.... ( or have you nothing better to do )

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Is that really all you have to contribute to this thread... your other comments on other threads are just as STUPID .... why bother.... ( or have you nothing better to do ) [/quote]

Well he certainly isnt that busy with his family now is he? He managed to find two mins to contribute his ignorance to this thread.

Sadly there are going to be many families that wish they had someone home to be busy with.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

No, I will not light a candle Cherokee .... I will light two, they will probably burn for about half an hour.

Have two on my front window with a low ledge for all passer by's to see. Will make a 'keep safe' wish for your son and all his comrades. I will also explain and request my two children and grandaughter to make the same dedication too.

I sorta' understand what Aleks was saying, but every little acknowledgment of supporting them helps doesn't it. x

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

No, I will not light a candle Cherokee .... I will light two, they will probably burn for about half an hour.

Thankyou Kate.:)

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

We will certainly be dedicating a candle to the brave lads and lasses serving our country. Surely if you so wish you can find a few minutes to spare them a thought. If that idea doesn't appeal to you why comment?

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

we light a candles at church on christmas eve, i will add an extra one this year

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Heroes, every single one of them.

Completly thoughtless Aleks.

I along with a majority of the country am v.grateful for the lads and lasses out there wherever they are, trying to make the world a better place for everyone.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

dont rise to what he has to say, just ignore him, he only does it to get a reaction out of you lot...havent you realised that yet?

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

The Rememberance Day poppy analogy is very apt.

Lighting a candle shows those people we haven't forgotten them, even though they might be spending Christmas in some Godforsaken hell hole.

You can even be opposed to the war, but you can still show the men and women fighting it that the public back home support and appreciate them putting their lives on the line for our freedom.

I will light a candle.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

O Lord to thee on bended knee
I make to you, my humble plea;
To always do my very best
To bring to all, peace and rest.

Without a fear, without delay
To go along lifes darkened way,
To carry on our Christian Faith;
Helping all of allied race.

God help to keep our spirits high
As we go onward, Do or Die,
In spite of danger from enemy gun;
We kneel in prayer, when the day is done.

When these days are forever past,
Please bring to all peace at last.
When the sun shines through the rain
Thy weary heart shall bear no pain.

And when you bring this peace to men,
Please send us homeward - once again

To all at home in your bed remember us
and think the best.
Light a candle in our quest and think of us while you rest

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Good One Mick,,, Thats Nice

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

But does it? Thats what im asking and if so how does it help?

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Of course they haven't. Some people never learn.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

i would imagine Alexs that them knowing people care, when they are in a crap situation, would make em feel a bit better. i know it would if it was me.:)

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Thank you at least someone as looked at what ive wrote and instead of coming out with the usual aleks your an ass aleks your a spineless ect etc etc blah blah blah yak yak yak rubbish. Thank you cashy for your answer i see your point too in a way.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Have to agree with Aleks... lightin the candles will have no effect whatsoever on the politicians, if you realy care why not spend two minutes faxing your MP to vouce your opinion or write a letter to our leaders?

www.writetothem.com

Take heart Aleks... I've gone against the "Flat Earthers" on this forum before now, and been called things you would'nt repeat in polite company !

:hehetable

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I bet i could name a certain `AccyWeb` member that does`nt......:(

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

You forgot "scum bag" ... you where called that in this thread for not having the right opinion...

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Its not a case of effecting the politics of this country, its about supporting the men and women out there doing a job, away from their families at a difficult time of year, in difficult circumstances.

Nobody is asking you to support the politics behind the war, just the people that have very little choice about being there

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Writing to our mp's will have the same effect as lighting a candle, it wont make a jot of difference to the actual events, but will make a lot of people happier knowing that some cared enough to do it.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Always reminds me of the poor sods who had to go and fight in Vietnam with no support from the people. They just did their duty to the U.S. Government as expected. Gave me a very bad opinion on the population of America.

See we are sending a further 300 more troops to Afghanistan to try and speed things up. Well, not a war strategist ..but hope you all come home safe, you have the U.K. support wherever you are.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

It isn't a protest though, it's an act of solidarity, and to show the people out there that they aren't forgotten.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

The bottom line here is... you light a candle to show you are thinking about those who are out there risking their lives....

( oh and if you think you may burn your house down there are battery candles in the pound shop )

The men and women are out there fighting for their country.... it does not matter if you agree or disagree.. they are doing their job: and we should show our support where we can:

Or should we only support out armed forces if we agree with what they are fighting for: !

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Oh i know i dont care what people say on here anyway. Its an internet forum not real life people seem to forget that on here. People take this site way too seriously. Like giving out karma. Who actually cares what karma you have i mean really? People on here get really ****ed off if someone sends them bad karma without putting thier username next to it. Soryy but if that annoys you then get a life.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Got to agree with that Aleks....I will not be lighting a candle, that is not my religion but I will pray that the lad's and lasses serving in these hostile lands come home safe and well and leave the animals who delight in killing their own to their own devices.
I agree with the Karma bit too....I think that all red cards that don't leave a sig should be named and shamed?
May upset some of our silent ref's :eek: but what the hell?

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Didn't see it as a religious act Royboy at all :confused: Just a communal thing to do.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

When I was a young lad in Blackburn I attended St Albans Catholic School and I was brought up in my younger life to light a candle for whatever the cause and to pray for a solution.
This is what sticks in my mind and that's is why I gave reference to it.
Sorry if I offended....was'nt meant.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Lighting a candle is nothing to do with any religion, It is to come together as a country and let our servicemen and women who are away doing a difficult job at a difficult time of year know that they have the support and are in the thoughts of folk back home.

I got involved in this charity purely because my lad was out there and I wanted to do something to keep me from going stare crazy while he was away. Only when he came home and relayed some of the heartbreaking stories of lads not having folk back home I decided to continue with my involvement and support not only my son but every other lad and lass out there whoever they are.
They are all fighting the same cause rightly or wrongly, I am not doing it to judge,

Its plain and simple, If like me you feel you want to let them know we are thinking of them then please feel free to join in and light a candle.
If not and you want to show your support in other ways thats fine too.

If you dont want to show your support then thats your perogotive, you see our lads are out there to make sure you have choices like that to make.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Cherokee.....Please. Please do not get me wrong.....I was a serving Warrant Officer in the British Army in the late fifties and sixties.
I have done my stint and recognise the hardships that our lads and lasses have to endure perhaps more that most of the members of Accyweb.
Pray that your lad comes home safe as my mother did for me.
My Grandmother prayed for her two sons to come home in WWII but they never did.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

We had a flame before we had any religions.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Exactly .... why can't people see it ....

:confused:

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I will wait until the Accyweb Intellegencia have had their say and come back.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Royboy I did read your post and although i didnt quote i did see you will be sharing a thought.
Thats fine and appreciated, the candle is just a show of like has been said "solidarity".
Thankyou though as your support is recognised.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Can I just say for the record though as some may have misunderstood, Thankfully my lad is home this xmas, However he is to return to the sandy place sometime in the new year.
It wont stop doing my bit though for those still out there.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Thats just it ,bad karma and good soldiers are as different as chalk and cheese,,,.......and They Have a life,ALTHOUGH SOME GET IT CUT SHORT ,,,,,,

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

While this thread meanders on debate the merits of lighting candles in support of British Forces in the field, another light was extinguished tonight in Afghanistan.

I think we need to keep perspective, thousands of people will pause for thought and light a candle between now and the New Year, thousands more won’t. It’s what we do as individual that counts.

Much of what as been discussed in recent posts as little to do with what this thread is trying to achieve, which is to inform people of what others are doing to give troops in the field support through their thoughts, either way the message will get through because these posts are read by serving personal and they are talked about.

Religion, karma or what you agree or disagree with as ****** all to do with anything, I will light many candles for many different reasons over this season, one will be for them and for one family member already lost, my feelings and thoughts will be with him and his family. Just do what you believe is right, you don’t even need to do anything on the day, there is more than one day over Christmas use each as you see fit.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Hiya

I've had this come through, and thought it would be apt to share with you:

A poem for Christmas by a Royal Marine Commando.

A Very Merry Xmas to you all.

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the garden to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Grandfather died in France ' on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gran always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of Burma
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... a Union flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a trench with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbour no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our
Armed Service men and women for our being able to celebrate these
festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us..

Chris Smith
(Skipatrol)
Royal Marine Ret

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I thought one of the main reasons the Yanks pulled out was due to public opinion against the war.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

It was...after being there ten years.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I think protests against the war in London would show more support than lighting candles and may have a bigger impact on those in Government.

When is the next general election?

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

As stated earlier, this isn't a protest against war(s).

It's to show our troops that they aren't forgotten, whilst serving in some godforsaken hell hole this Christmas.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

my candle is lit cherokee...

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

As have I, and karma to onlyme for that excellent poem, well spotted.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I had 26 on the go.

Does that make me Santa's favourite.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

No, it makes you a fire hazard :p:rolleyes::D

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I let the 3 eldest light one each and explained to them why they were doing so, school had sent them home with candles, but with no eplanation as to why??

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I lit mine last night when i came home .......

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I did too.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

We lit ours whilst dinner was cooking and spent time contemplating how lucky we were.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

I lit mine .... but I guess it didn't work too well ... latest sad news from Kandahar has yet another Canadian soldier killed and three wounded ... no names yet ... that's 104 KIA, and no doubt more to come ...

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Pte. Michael Freeman, 28, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment.

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

i lit mine aswell and had a cross next to it! a royal marine died christams eve while fighting enermy! R.I.P was in daily mail today on front page very sad story about them not haveing christams dinner or not putting up the tree without him being at home!

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Well as always I lit mine and had a few moments thinking of just what our lads and lasses are going through out there..
Eric sorry to hear the canadians lost one , we also lost one on xmas eve. its been a tragic two weeks for our troop. My heart goes out to all families effected by these tragedies.


Thankyou to everyone who got involved in the candle of hope this year. Its been fantastic to see the public support. and I hope you all had a wonderful xmas day .:)

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

We lit a couple.........................

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Today in Kandahar Province: Warrant Officer Gaetan Joseph Roberge, Royal 22nd Regiment and Sgt. Gregory Kruse, 2nd. Combat Engineer Regiment ... KIA ... it's been a tough weekend ....

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

you were supposed to light candles pip :D

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

At 2:00 pm. today, at CFB Trenton, an RCAF Hercules brought home three brave Canadians, killed in Kandahar Province ... putain guerre ....

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

When we lose any soldier it brings home the reality of what is actualy happening out there, It has been a terrible time for both the British and Canadian forces just lately.

The only saving grace, if any, is the fact that with the media coverage and insight into what our troops are going through out there has increased public support no end

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Behave.........

Re: Christmas candle of hope ... Will you join in ?
 

Trooper Brian Richard Good, Royal Canadian Dragoons, KIA, Kandahar Province.