Tragic soldier's plea from the grave to end Iraq war

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/228/228813_tragic_soldiers_plea_from_the_grave_to_end_iraq_war_.html

A SOLDIER killed in Iraq left a diary of heartbreaking pleas for Tony Blair to end the conflict.

In one emotional extract, Gunner Lee Thornton, who was shot while patrolling the town of Al Qurna, near Basra, penned: "Dear Tony, stop putting our lives at risk."

Another reads: "This is not worth dying for."

His stinging criticism of Mr Blair's handling of the Iraq crisis has been revealed after extracts of Gunner Thornton's war diary were released by his heartbroken parents, Karen and Mick.

Lee, 22, died in a German hospital two days after being shot in September. Many of the comments were written just days before his death.

[DesertRat]

1. So heartbreaking

"Lee should have returned home this week to a hero's welcome and his 23rd birthday party on Saturday."

"He had been due to marry fiancée Helen O'Pray, a student from Sandbach, Cheshire, in August 2008."

:cry:

[MadMaddie]

3. Yes it is...and it's happening over and over again....

and it won't stop until we get them all...American, British and any other soldier out of there..

[leftchick]

2. dammit!!! The Details.....

:cry:

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/228/228813_tragic_soldiers_plea_from_the_grave_to_end_iraq_war_.html

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/ContentResources/115.$plit/C_17_Articles_228813_BodyWeb_Detail_1_Image.jpg

Hero's welcome

Lee should have returned home this week to a hero's welcome and his 23rd birthday party on Saturday.

Instead his parents, from Marton, Blackpool, are still reeling from their loss, but have decided to allow their son's own thoughts to be heard.

Mick said: "Lee loved the army, it was his life, but he was talking of coming out after everything he had seen in Iraq.

"He couldn't tell anyone about it so he had to write it all down in this diary."

Karen plans to send some of her son's notes to the Prime Minister.

She said: "The more I read his diary the more angry I get.

"We got a letter of condolence from Tony Blair, but how can he even start to imagine how we feel.

[Sadie5]

4. Congress still has a few rats left

to throw out. Who are those up for election in '08'? That big mouthed Lindsay Graham comes to mind, I'm sure there are others.

[Pool Hall Ace]

5. So sad. This solder should have been brought home alive

and replaced by a "stay the course" yay-hoo.

[stevedeshazer]

6. I've been sitting here for fifteen minutes on my sore, bitter ass...

...trying to think of something meaningful to say.

I can't.

If only we could stop this madness this very moment.

[Hubert H. Hubert]

7. K'n'R. n/t

[leftchick]

8. Doesn't Blair have a son?

Why three actually and why isn't the oldest serving? Did Blair ever serve? These people make me sick...

[malaise]

9. Tony should be strung up in

Trafalgar Square.

[lonestarnot]

10. End the WAR OF LIES BASTARDS!

[lonestarnot]

11. kick