Lt. Windsor
Wants to go back. VOA:
Speaking for the first time since flying back to Britain, Prince Harry says he is no hero. The third in line to the throne, known in the army as Lieutenant Windsor, was 10 weeks into a three-month deployment in turbulent Helmand Province when news about his duty was leaked on the Internet. For VOA, Tom Rivers in London has the latest.
Looking a bit tired and in a slightly somber mood, Prince Harry fielded a few questions in the terminal building of Brize Norton air force base, north of London. He rejected British tabloid coverage of him that widely labels him a returning hero.
“I would not say I am the hero at all. I am no more hero than anybody else. I mean, everyone, if you think about it there are thousands and thousands of troops out there. There are guys who, you know, two injured guys who came back on the plane with us who were essentially comatose throughout the whole way. One who had lost two limbs, a left arm and a right leg and another guy who was basically saved by his mate’s body being in the way and took shrapnel to the neck. Both out cold throughout the whole of the flight, and you know, those are the heroes,” he said.
It was widely known by the British media that Harry was serving in southern Afghanistan in Helmand Province. And a news blackout agreement between media organizations and the British Defense Ministry held for 10 weeks, but rapidly unraveled when the U.S.-based Drudge Report Internet site broke the story.
Harry says it has left him disappointed.
“I thought I could sit through to the end and come back with sort of our guys and the colonel himself. But you know, I am back here now and I suppose, I think deep down inside it would be quite nice looking forward having a bath. So, I think once I have had a bath, I think it is nice to be back early. But no, I would like to still be out there with the guys,” he added.
Second Lieutenant Windsor will discuss various options once his commanding officer returns from Afghanistan. Although it may not happen, Harry would like to go back to Afghanistan in another front line position and he says he hopes his brother can see some overseas duty as well.
“I know there are a lot of people who are thinking, well, you have done it once now, you have got the medal, why would you ever want to go back again? Well, as you know, if you spoke to a lot of the other guys who came off the plane with me, there are plenty of people willing to go back again just to serve their country and do their bit,” he added.
Because knowing your friends are in combat when you aren’t is a terrible feeling. Because there are few privileges so great in life as to move forward into fire with the soldiers of your nation. Because war, once it takes you, never lets you go. For better or worse. Prior re that.
And in Harry’s case, because for once in his life, living in dirt in the company of men in Afghanistan, he was normal. You’re one of the blokes now in my book, Harry.
Let’s hear it for VOA, by the way. Your tax dollars at work for freedom. They want you to take this article. The whole thing. But then they are a pro-freedom organization.
Topics: Afghanistan, Britain
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 10:22 pm on Sunday, March 2, 2008
4 Responses to “Lt. Windsor”
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March 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Prince Harry understands a great deal more than most of the wankers in his country. It good to hear him talk about those who choose to serve their country under difficult circumstances.
You’re a man in my books, Harry.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:38 am
Harry’s one royal who’s gone up in my estimation. From all the boozy hijinks in the tabloids, I figured he’d be just another spoiled, useless rich kid. Glad he’s proved me wrong, and it’s a shame they didn’t leave him alone for just a few more weeks.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:48 pm
Rebecca, it’s a good thing the tabloids didn’t see me when I was in the Navy. Talk about boozy highjinks! It’s a wonder that I’ve managed to sober up by now, and I haven’t had a drink (by choice) since 92, when I went on the road.
March 3rd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
God Bless your heart Harry. Wish you were first in line of that lot, but that was always the problem with royalty, either the timing was off or the healthy ones were not pure enough.