Prince Harry

[Miss Z]

This has been on British news quite a bit lately. I agree with ChrisH, just being a member of the Royal family should not allow him any special privilages. As a member of our armed forces, it's his duty to serve hs country.

However, I believe that if he does end up going, I doubt he'll be in anything like front-line service, or whatever else the media say he's going to do.

[kuhio98]

I worry about his whole regiment. Since the media is likely to report its every movement, I worry about all the attention that will be focused on them. Wouldn't that attract suicide bombers? Wouldn't that put his regiment in more danger than the others?

[gini]

I just wish him Godspeed as I do every young man that must serve in Iraq!

[Bengalz]

I just wish him Godspeed as I do every young man that must serve in Iraq!

I agree Gini - anyone in this position deserves our support and respect notwithstanding who he/she is. I hope Harry (along with his colleagues along side) are not a victims of his heritage.

[sparks19]

I say....

GOOD FOR HIM. it is truly a noble thing he is doing when he could so easily get out of it because of his status. Although I can't see why they would target him more than anyone else.... he is part of the royal family but he does not stand to inherit the throne. if they were going to go after someone I would think it would be william. Harry truly is leading by example and he is doing a wonderful service. it is sad that his service is being diminished and he is being referred to as a psuedo celebrity. At least he is doing SOMETHING. his regiment is one of the most respected and well known regiments of the british army. he is not going over there to have tea parties people. he deserves the same respect as anyone over there even if he is just a "psuedo celebrity". And those celebrities that do USO shows over there are providing more a of a service than many think.

I do hope that the press isn't so stupid as to report his every move and location although I know that is what will happen. the media is so out of touch. I wish they were not privvy to such information. They should only be told what they need to know.... they do NOT need to know where he is and exactly what he is doing. Just like the media shouldn't be privvy ANYONE's exact whereabouts or their missions. they do not need to know and it does NOT need to be reported. do they not realize that giving out this kind of info is only hurting our troops... not helping.

God speed to everyone over there.

[Sophist]

I say....

he deserves the same respect as anyone over there even if he is just a "psuedo celebrity". And those celebrities that do USO shows over there are providing more a of a service than many think.

I didn't knock the celebrities that go over to do those tours. In fact, though they probably never reach them, I have written thank you letters and sent them to all the celebrities who have visited my brother's and friends units, or whose philanthropy I have read about in the news..

I also did not attempt to diminish the fact that it is a good thing he is going over there (I think a few of our politicians should be willing to send their children as well, although I have recently heard that John McCain's son is going). I don't think referring to him as a psuedo-celebrity tarnishes his career. He is a psuedo-celebrity. He is famous and celebrated and scrutinized because he is related to a remnant of a past political system, and his lovely mom has a tragic story that provides tabloids with endless morbid fascination and speculation.

And lastly, I do not feel I disrespected him as a soldier. I simply care more about my family than the random person I see on the cover of the tabloids. Not saying that there are any soldiers in Iraq I don't care about or wish well, just saying I am not going to feel any special affinity for Harry over my baby brother just because he is sorta famous for being related to public figures.

[sparks19]

I think you should all wait and see what he will actually be doing over there before slinging around accusations that he will be living the highlife in Iraq. Do you know what his regiment is scheduled to do? do you know what his regiments mission is? or are you just assuming? I'm pretty sure if his regiment was being sent there and they knew he was just going for a free ride they would have something to say about it. Most platoons I have ever known would not tolerate anyone half a$$ing it no matter who they are.

There really is nothing to get worked up about. he doesn't have to go over there... but he is. that is something all on it's own. Not many of us are willing to go, so I don't think we should be getting worked up about what he will and will not be doing. Many of us have loved ones over there. it doesn't mean that I care less about the lives of those I don't know. Yes I am worried about my loved ones, but I feel just a passionate about the others who's famillies and friends are over there as I know they are ALL going through the same things we are.

There is no amount of protection that will keep him safe and alive if the enemy decides to bomb his regiment. it's nice to think that his body guards will throw themselves on him or that he will be holed up in some bullet proof bunker but he is at just as much risk. it is a WAR ZONE. Everyone is at risk. No one can be fully protected. the only protection they can truly rely on is good training.

I don't think anyone is asking you to feel any special affinity towards him, nor are they implying that you shouldn't feel more for your family. But he has done something that MANY would not. He does not have to go, he is living the highlife right now, but he still wants to go. No it doesn't make his life more meaningful than others, nor does it mean that he deserves special treatment but he certainly doesn't deserve to be seen as some little rich kid that is going to observe.

[Catty1]

I'm just reminded that Harry's grandfather was in the navy when he and now Queen Elizabeth met. There is a sweet story of her crying when he left on a ship before they got married.

Duty runs in the family!

[Sophist]

I think you should all wait and see what he will actually be doing over there before slinging around accusations that he will be living the highlife in Iraq. Do you know what his regiment is scheduled to do? do you know what his regiments mission is? or are you just assuming? I'm pretty sure if his regiment was being sent there and they knew he was just going for a free ride they would have something to say about it. Most platoons I have ever known would not tolerate anyone half a$$ing it no matter who they are.

Um, you don't know that either, but with even less evidence you are insisting he is going to be on the front line, more or less. I think common sense and politics very strongly suggest otherwise.

And peer soldiers in the military really have very little say over who goes with them or how hard they work, so I really don't think any platoon member would be sticking their neck out to bad mouth him or not 'tolerate' him. Superiors tend not to take it very well when you make waves. Plus, maybe they appreciate any token effort enough, or are simply used to a very class-conscious military, and are willing to tolerate a nice kid who just happened to catch a better break than them this time.

You are insisting there is nothing to be upset about, but you seem more upset and personally invested in Harry than anything anyone else is discussing. I recognized I needed to chill, and took a breather. I also suggest you realize that no one is really attacking Harry, and even if we were it is nothing personal against you.

[mike001]

Thanks for the great post, that was so interesting to read.I really admire this kid's tenacity and wanting to go to Iraq. I think the Royals get fed up being Royals and he just wants to be part of his bunch. Both have suffered so much over Diana's death, that I think it has grounded them to reality. Who knows if he isn't privately doing it for his mum's memory? Whatever his reasons, I admire him.

[Sophist]

However, I believe that if he does end up going, I doubt he'll be in anything like front-line service, or whatever else the media say he's going to do.

Very much agreed.