Editor's Blog: We must honour our fallen heroes
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The news this week that the County Town’s much
loved and respected regiment has lost a fifth soldier in
Afghanistan has come as a shattering blow. There have been
suggestions that it was as a result of friendly fire – or a mistake
in the use of a smoke bomb intended to give troops cover – but
regardless of the cause it will make little difference to the
family and friends of Spr Mark Smith, whose character shone through
in the many tributes published this week.
The KM is actively engaged with Maidstone
council in trying to get a permanent, public, memorial to the 36
Engineers in the town. This week’s events demonstrate why it is
important for Maidstone to have a focal point in order to honour
our regiment and pay respects to those who have paid the ultimate
sacrifice in the service of our nation.
There have been a lot of developments on the
hospital front this week. We understand our front page story last
week about a baby born in the back of an ambulance has caused
considerable debate in local circles, demonstrating as it did, the
risks of transporting women in labour over long distances. Don’t
forget this was a normal pregnancy and the birth anticipated as
being ‘low risk’. Yet little Fabienne Marques spent two weeks in
the special care baby unit. MP Helen Grant has successfully argued
that the initial deadline imposed by Health Secretary Andrew
Lansley for this final consultation exercise was too short and she
has persuaded him to extend the deadline. Also, local county
councillors on the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee are
arranging a public meeting to discuss the transfer of maternity and
children’s services to Pembury on September 9. A venue is to be
decided but it is likely to needed a decent capacity given the
depth of concern locally about these proposals.
Our Malling edition leads on the terrible
story of Fran Foulkes, the young woman killed by a suspected
drink-driver while holidaying with friends in Ibiza. She was a
Medway girl through and through and worked for Cabot in Kings Hill
and her colleagues are among the hundreds who have been paying
tribute to her on various websites, including ours this week. Her
father Julian has thanked those who have left kind comments about
his daughter by posting a message on our website. What is striking
about the aftermath of the tragedy and is evident in the messages
left is the amazing dignity shown by family, friends and
colleagues. There is very little hint of anger or vindictiveness
about what brought about her death. All the emotion is channelled
lovingly towards Fran. It’s a massive tribute to her and and full
indication of the positive part she clearly played in so many
people’s lives.
Friday, July 30 2010
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