Lisburn.com

 

Exiles Forum

Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

MP meets local soldiers during Afghanistan trip

A reminder of home...Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson walks 'Antrim Street' in Camp Shorabak in Afghanistan. Jeffrey Donaldson with L-R C.Sgt Davy Stewart and C.Sgt Chris McFarland, both from Lisburn.
A reminder of home...Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson walks 'Antrim Street' in Camp Shorabak in Afghanistan. Jeffrey Donaldson with L-R C.Sgt Davy Stewart and C.Sgt Chris McFarland, both from Lisburn.

LAGAN Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson has met local soldiers serving with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment during a visit to Afghanistan.

Mr Donaldson, together with seven other MPs, flew into Camp Bastion and were taken to the nearby Camp Shorabak where Royal Irish soldiers are helping to train Afghan national forces as part of the 16 Air Assault Brigade deployment.

The party received a detailed briefing from Major Max Walker, 2nd in Command 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment, and were then able to hear from Major General Muhaiyodin Ghoriof the Afghan National Army on the contribution the Royal Irish soldiers are making.

S. Capt McMillen, Jeffery Donaldson and Capt Strain.

S. Capt McMillen, Jeffery Donaldson and Capt Strain.

The group met members of the TA from the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Regiment who are providing the Bastion Force Protection Company and had a chance to see the hospital where Northern Ireland TA soldiers with 204 Field Hospital (Volunteers) will deploy in July.

Speaking after his visit Mr Donaldson, Defence Spokesman for the DUP in Parliament, said: "It was a privilege to meet these brave men and women who achieve great distinction for themselves and for Northern Ireland by their service in Afghanistan.

"To see the harp and crown badge of the Royal Irish Regiment displayed in this war zone filled me with pride.

"It was particularly good to meet some soldiers who hail from the Lisburn area including Colour Sergeant Chris McFarland who comes from the Low Road area and has been serving with the 1st Battalion for a number of years now. Also based in Afghanistan at present is Colour Sergeant Davy Stewart who is from the Plantation area. Davy is joined by his brother Danny who also serves with the 1st Battalion. Their father is Dave Stewart who is Treasurer of the Royal British Legion in Lisburn. "It was very rewarding to learn of the excellent work these soldiers and their Northern Ireland comrades serving with other units are doing in Helmand province and to hear time and time again how respected and valued they are by their commanders in the field." Mr Donaldson said the the work the RIR are doing with the Afghan Army will have 'long-term benefits for the peace and stability of this troubled area.

"I was deeply impressed by the commitment of these men and women who have demonstrated a willingness to put their lives on the line to help others who have suffered so much oppression under the rule of terror imposed by the Taliban" he said.

"The territorial soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment are supporting the full-time soldiers of the 1st Battalion in their task and I would like to pay a warm tribute to the many local employers who have so willingly released their staff to serve in Afghanistan.

"Without the co-operation of all these employers, the valuable work being undertaken by the soldiers in Afghanistan would have been greatly diminished.

'We want to assure the families back home that their sons and daughters are in good shape and are doing a great job in serving their country in such a distinguished way. It is our prayer that all of them will return home safely at the end of their tour of duty and we will seek to ensure that they receive from the Government the level of support that is fit for such heroes."

julieann.spence@jpress.co.uk

Ulster Star
30/05/2008