About Me

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I saw active service in conventional, clandestine and covert units of the South African Defence Force. I was the founder of the Private Military Company (PMC) Executive Outcomes in 1989 and its chairman until I left in 1997. Until its closure in 1998, EO operated primarily in Africa helping African governments that had been abandoned by the West and were facing threats from insurgencies, terrorism and organised crime. EO also operated in South America and the Far East. I believe that only Africans (Black and White) can truly solve Africa’s problems. I was appointed Chairman of STTEP International in 2009 and also lecture at military colleges and universities in Africa on defence, intelligence and security issues. Prior to the STTEP International appointment, I served as an independent politico-military advisor to several African governments. Until recently, I was a contributing editor to The Counter Terrorist magazine. All comments in line with the topics on this blog are welcome. As I consider this to be a serious look at military and security matters, foul language and political or religious debates will not be entertained on this blog.

Monday, November 11, 2013

LET US NEVER FORGET…


Today marks the Day of Remembrance – also known as Armistice Day or Poppy Day - a memorial day that Commonwealth countries have observed since the end of World War I to in honour of those servicemen who fell in the line of duty.
 
On this day I remember those who died on active service as members of the South African Defence Force and of course, those men from Executive Outcomes who died trying to make Africa a better place. You will never be forgotten. 
 
Let us remember them with the words of Robert Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen":


They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

 
Let us never forget the sacrifices that were made for us.

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Good men gave their lives to rid the world of evil men.

That is the bottom line.
Many people scream anti war and berate soldiers but when the barbarians are at the gate those same hated soldiers are suddenly called hero.

If it were not for good soldiers paying the ultimate price the world would have ceased to be inhabited by people eons ago.

RIP. Wayne Ross Smith and all those who paid the ultimate price bringing an end to decades long war in Angola and Sierra Leone.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Amen to that, Mike.

Far too many good men have died - and will still die - to ensure the agendas of those who mean evil.

For those we have lost, there can be no replacements.

Rgds,

Eeben