'Hello mum, this is going to be hard for you to read ...'

[AdminOnline]

Sharing something i found on the net today.



At 19, Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher was one of the youngest victims of the Afghan war. These letters – given to The Independent by his family – reveal the excitement of a teenager sent to fulfil his dream, and his maturity in confronting the possibility that he might not make it home

Monday, 20 July 2009

In the spring of this year, the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles deployed to Afghanistan. Halfway through the battalion's tour, it has lost nine soldiers, with dozens injured.

Of those to have given their lives, four were teenagers. Here Rifleman Cyrus Thatcher, who was 19 when he was killed by an explosion near Gereshk seven weeks ago, tells his own story, through letters home and the last letter he left behind to bid farewell to his family – his mother Helena, father Robin and brothers Zac, 21, and Steely, 17.

Following are the words of a proud soldier described by his officers as possessing "a rucksack full of potential", and by his friends as a rascal always cracking jokes and helping to keep morale high. Most of all, they are the words of a young son to his mum, dad and brothers

27 April 2009

Hello Mum

I've just got your bluey [letter] (the 1st one) yea you are right it does get ****ing hot, I can't work out wether I'm tanned or just burnt to ****!! I've spoke to you on the phone so you no what I've been doing. I'm well proud of you loosing all that weight. Suppose you've got a pretty good insentive. We'v had the same **** maybe a month now. Everyday a Monday out here. You kind of loose track of days. I cant quite work out if its going fast or slow. This pen is **** its doing my head in!!

Iv been thinking of loads of things and places to do, go and see. Me and Elliott are gonna go to Amsterdam after this. THINK WE MAY HAVE DESERVED IT!! It should be a good day (November 5th) [their homecoming parade]. On the 6th we can go Belfast Iv'e got loads of sad things I wanna buy ie Sky+ Big TV. Get the old man to help me rearange my room and help me fix my shelves. Im not the DIY type normally resort to celler tape or blue tack. HA HA HA. Hope everyones safe at home. Complete detox out here – water no drink. So my dance moves might involve a bit of stumbling when I return! Im coming home 2 weeks earlier now so that's kinda good, it might be worth Zac picking me up give me a bit of chill out time so I don't try stab a gobby civvi plus he's a good listener, sumtimes I wonder if he's listening or thinking of sumthing completely irrelivant.

Well pass this round the family so they can all admire my extream spelling (infantry eh!). Lots of love to all the nearest and dearest. Love Ya!! Xxxx

1 May 2009

Hey Mum + family

Ill always address my letters to you cuz I no your probley the only one who gets to the mail!! You'll have to let me no how quick these are getting you ill keep writing the date?? Everything is good up this way getting hotter, still moving at a million miles per hour (HA HA HA) I think Iv'e stopped burning Im slowly going brown and my hair is getting ridiculous just wait till I come home ill look like a ****ing wooky?! I was gonna write to granny + grandad but to be honest with the few spare hours I get Id'e rather write home ey? BTW send my regards to Daphne, Joan, Brian etc. Let em no how Im doing?

Every so often we get old people and churches send us little gifts like baby wipes, razors, sweets and stuff so its quite a good bit of moral. Got some really good photos ill have to bring my camera back so we can get that Kosovo collage on the go, to bring back on the 5th of November. If you saw what and where Ive been sleeping you would be shocked!! So pictures will back me up!

Unfortunately 3 blokes died 2 days ago in an IED explosion in one of the FOBs [Forward Operating Bases] bout 2 kilometers away – we visited that FOB 2 days before the attack – ****ing mental quite scary actually! We'v had a rest day so Im doing a bit of hand washing and fitness! God you'd be so proud Ha! Ha! Ha! We've still had spam, rice, beans and unflavoured noodles every day – promise me actually I promise you if I see spam in the house ill ****ing destroy it!! Im getting pretty good at making flat bread and we bout a goat of a local for 200 dollars and we slaughtered it. I got a good video. Its either catch it, kill it, or make it out here or else you go hungry LOL!! The showers are also freezing whilst Im on the subject of moaning?? Id'e best go again BUT ill keep writing when I get the time + ill be home in a couple of months. Love you'zzz all don't worry bout me to much. Theres only 3 things that kill people over hear BULLETS, BOMBS + EGOS so I might go down with a bad case of swollen head!! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. Love ya xxxxx

12 May 2009

Hello Mother

Yesterday was a massive day for moral an american chopper came in yesterday. I got 5 blueys one from Zac, Daphne, I think Sharpie sent one and Dad?? With some pictures that was great. I stared at them for about an hour I cant explain how good it is to get pictures and stuff you get grown men close to tears at the sight of there kid or a good night out its really strange how this place ****s with your head and emotions. A BIG ONE that I NEED you to try do (get started ill help when I get back) is appeal to local charitys, churches, major companys ie Zoo, Cadburys, boots you name it. Write to them and explain my whereabouts and they do send gifts, chocolate, sweets, magazines you name it trust me a lot of the lads parents did it and they've got clothes, the lot. Trust me Red bull, lucazade, fags AND SWEETS are wicked just keep sending them and URGE people to send photos they keep the moral SKY HIGH. I thought Steely and Zacs [poses] in the garden were quality. I can only prove how much a letter or small parcel means by finding time to right back – that's probley the most precious thing I have and Id'e trade hours for a letter.

On some much sadder news one of our rifleman died a few days back, we had a parade and a few minutes silence its so strange how many emotions you go through living in these conditions its like everything wants to beat you and rewin your day. Its about not letting it get to you and don't worry nothing ****ing gets to me. Well Im off I love you all loads thanks for my parcels and letters. Lots of love xxx

14 May 2009

Hey Mum!

Its just gone 10 in the morning here Im on a stag rotation for the next 7 days guarding the FOB. Its 6 hours on 3 hours off so not much sleep. (Im already an hour in). If you could see what Im looking at now you'd be pretty shocked. Its pretty stunning to be honest. I could probley sling shot a stone from where we were last contacted [shot at] from Ha! Ha! Ha! Pretty ****ing crazy huh? I shouldn't really tell you this but its safer than on the phone – were leaving this place. Its gonna be a ****ing massive operation moving this lot + a lot of helicopter rides. So when I come back after R&R [leave] ill fly to [the main British camp] bastion then out to our new FOB. You don't really do much on stag. Swetting my tits of its gonna hit 50 degrees today. AAAAH **** my grenade just fell out of my [body armour] – we wont mention that to any higherarcy will we now.

I think you said you were going to a weight loss thing a few days ago hope that well? (Just keep going) 37 days ill be home – not that Im counting or anything??? THINK there's a bird coming in today at 13.30 so this bluey will probley arrive with the others – well as always gotta go ill try ring when I get a top-up of minuets on Monday. **** knows what day it is I thought it was Sunday today. Ha! Ha! Well lots of love to you all!

Cyrus Thatcher was killed on 2 June 2009. This is the letter he wrote to be delivered to his family if he died:

Hello its me, this is gonna be hard for you to read but I write this knowing every time you thinks ****s got to much for you to handle (so don't cry on it MUM!!) you can read this and hopefully it will help you all get through.

For a start **** I got hit!! Now Iv got that out the way I can say the things Iv hopefully made clear, or if I havent this should clear it all up for me. My hole life you'v all been there for me through thick and thin bit like a wedding through good and bad. Without you I believe I wouldn't have made it as far as I have. I died doing what I was born to do I was happy and felt great about myself although the army was sadly the ending of me it was also the making of me so please don't feel any hate toward it. One thing I no I never made clear to you all was I make jokes about my life starting in the Army. That's wrong VERY wrong my life began a LONG time before that (Obviously) but you get what I mean. All the times Iv tried to neglect the family get angry when you try teach me right from wrong wot I mean to say is I only realised that you were trying to help when I joined the army and without YOUR help I would have never had the BALLS, the GRIT and the damn right determination to crack on and do it. If I could have a wish in life it would to be able to say Iv gone and done things many would never try to do. And going to Afghan has fulfilled my dream ie my goal. Yes I am young wich as a parent must brake you heart but you must all somehow find the strength that I found to do something no matter how big the challenge. As Im writing this letter I can see you all crying and mornin my death but if I could have one wish in an "after life" it would be to stop your crying and continueing your dreams (as I did) because if I were watching only that would brake my heart. So dry your tears and put on a brave face for the rest of your friends and family who need you.

I want each and everyone of you to forfill a dream and at the end of it look at what you have done (completed) and feel the accomplishment and achievement I did only then will you understand how I felt when I passed away.

[To his brothers:] You are both amazing men and will continue to be throughout your lives you both deserve to be happy and fofill all of your dreams.

Dad – my idol, my friend, my best friend, my teacher, my coach, everything I ever succeeded in my life I owe to you and maybe a little bit of me! You are a great man and the perfect role model and the past two years of being in the army I noticed that and me and you have been on the best level we have ever been. I thank you for nothing because I no all you have given to me is not there to be thanked for its there because you did it cause you love me and that is my most proudest thing I could ever say.

Mum, where do I start with you!! For a start your perfect, your smell, your hugs, the way your life was dedicated to us boys and especially the way you cared each and every step us boys took. I love you, you were the reason I made it as far as I did you were the reason I was loved more than any child I no and that made me feel special.

Your all such great individuals and I hope somehow this letter will help you get through this **** time!! Just remember do NOT mourn my death as hard as this will seem, celebrate a great life that has had its ups and downs. I love you all more than you would ever no and in your own individual ways helped me get through it all. I wish you all the best with your dreams.

Remember chin up head down. With love Cyrus xxxx

Cyrus Thatcher as a rifleman. He was killed on 2 June 2009


Cyrus Thatcher while serving with the 2nd Battalion, The Rifles in Afghanistan this year


A treasured family photograph shows Cyrus Thatcher aged 10 on a holiday in Turkey, third from left



A treasured family photograph shows Cyrus Thatcher aged 2

Source:

[url]http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hello-mum-this-is-going-to-be-hard-for-you-to-read-1753008.html[/url]

[boobaa]

****in wannabe heros. I got hit I got hit, I deserve remembering.... **** you, tard, look how young you are.

Want to go to Amsterdam, thinks he has deserved it. Well, its volunteering to be there in war in the first place. Take responsibility for your actions! The Afghan boy who killed him, deserves it more.

[Kiechi]

^ What do you call an Estonian talking shit on a net?

[BoredGeorge]

Wars are fought by children. Poor kids.

He is a hero.

[Illusional]

crusaders...

raverboy

[boobaa]

Wars are fought by children. Poor kids.

He is a hero.

Heroes are those who don't make war.

[Cain]

Heroes are those who don't make war.

The soldiers over there aren't making the war. They are doing what they were ordered to do. You need to learn to differentiate.

[Petit Papillon]

I think they do what they wanted to do.I mean in US there is no must to go to army, so they went there cause they wanted to and I`m sure they knew how it`s going to look like... But anyway soldiers are just weapons in big peoples hands.

[boobaa]

The soldiers over there aren't making the war. They are doing what they were ordered to do. You need to learn to differentiate.

I order you to kill yourself.

American and British soldiers there are volunteers, you need to learn the difference. When you volunteer to go there, don't feel sorry or hero like, because you chose to be there. Hero is the child who is put there and who still puts up and does not get hit.

Everyone fights for freedom, you know.

[DoesntMatter]

Take responsibility for your actions!

He did dipshit. He said something to the effect of "If I die, I die"

Going to war doesn't mean you are going to die, it means you might. And he had the courage to risk that happening. Bigger balls than you can ever dream of having

Your problem is that you blindly hate America and other successful countries. Which maybe you should. My uncle has been to Iraq 3 times already and is a multi-millionaire from his previous practice as a surgeon. Bigger balls then you will ever have, even after they drop

And a bigger wallet too. He probably made more in any given half a year than you will in your entire pathetic life. Hell, if slavery wasn't illegal in your part of the world he could probably afford to buy your cunt of a girlfriend and grind her up for dogfood

[Lite]

American and British soldiers there are volunteers, you need to learn the difference.

Actually, they volunteered to obligate themselves to follow orders. Maybe you need to learn the difference.

For many, the military is the only way they will afford college. It is the only way they will receive vocational training. It is the only way they can afford to become doctors, and nurses, and lawyers, and mechanics.

At the same time, they are defending their country. Regardless of whether they're on our soil or not at the time. Anyone who volunteers to put his life on the line to protect his country if necessary is a hero. Even if they don't get shot.

There are a lot of people who talk about how peace, and dialogue are the only true ways to work things out. If your enemy wants you dead, and you turn the other cheek. You're going to die. They will win, simply because you are dead, and they are not.

Might may not make right, but being a pacifist is worthless if you're unwilling to defend those you love.

[Petit Papillon]

If You don`t know what`s the problem about, then it`s about MONEY . Clear

[boobaa]

Actually, they volunteered to obligate themselves to follow orders. Maybe you need to learn the difference.

For many, the military is the only way they will afford college. It is the only way they will receive vocational training. It is the only way they can afford to become doctors, and nurses, and lawyers, and mechanics.

Ugh, loophole in the education system. I mean, c'mon, USA is a damn rich country, hundreds of billions of dollars go to war and it can't provide free education to its people?



I mean, my country is just a starter, small European country, not rich, have many problems, but we have free education system.

I don't hate America. I only hate certain people in it, its not my fault they make the majority of your country...

And DM, so its all about the money then... What is heroic about fighting in the war because of money? And you ever heard of Blackwater?

[Asip4u]

I can't stand when people who rarely ever go to other places say "oh you hate America because we're so successful"...or..
"America is the greatest country in the world"...Money wise maybe...everything else...there are many other places i'd rather be...

Your problem is that you blindly hate America and other successful countries. Which maybe you should. more in any given half a year than you will in your entire patheticMy uncle has been to Iraq 3 times already and is a multi-millionaire from his previous practice as a surgeon. Bigger balls then you will ever have, even after they drop

And a bigger wallet too. He probably made life.

[DoesntMatter]

I can't stand when people who rarely ever go to other places say "oh you hate America because we're so successful"...or..
"America is the greatest country in the world"...Money wise maybe...everything else...there are many other places i'd rather be...

First of all you don't know shit about me. I've been to Canada at least 20 times and other countries in Europe, Mexico, and the Caribbean, so your statement isn't exactly right

Second of all you wouldn't know what it's like to hear unfounded and hateful criticisms of your country all the time. Boobaa is a particular poster who hates everything he thinks the US is

Which is kind of funny... you criticize ME for responding to boobaa's bullshit about America and claim I have hardly traveled elsewhere, yet boobaa, who seems to know so much about us, has never even been here

Lastly, yes, the US is vastly better than Canada. In fact I will go a step farther and say that the US is the best country in the world. We have our cake and eat it too

3 times more Nobel Prize winners than any other country. 17 of the best 20 universities in the world. High standard of living. The ability to make lots of money if you are willing to work for it. The internet. You watch our movies and listen to our music and then are shameless enough to come on here and get pissy with me for responding to a ****tard Estonians relentless anti-Americanism

The US was great until foreigners and self-hating Americans started getting a voice. It's causing us to rot from the inside. It's too bad there are so many dumb Americans who will listen and then be dumb enough to agree with people like boobaa and you