Dear Editor, Now that we are into “Poppy time” again these are poignant times.

The Union Flag has been lowered at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, “hopefully” for the last time. That it happens to coincide with the hundredth anniversary of the first World war, (the war to end all wars) that, “would be over by Christmas” will focus our minds on the futility of armed conflict. I recall a certain Minister of the Crown saying, “We will be in and out (of Afghanistan) without a shot being fired”. Aye right!

I sometimes think that if the people at the core of governance felt the “brush of the bullet’s breeze” there would be no rush to take up arms. My Grandfather did not return from WWI. It devastated the family.

My father and uncles all returned from WW2 (they did experience the bullet’s breeze). My sons have survived recent “wars”, and are still in service, I am proud to say!

Now the Afghan National Army will fend for themselves, their problems will definitely not be over by Christmas! Tribalism, corruption, the culture is immune to the efforts of change. There is every chance that we could see the return of the Taliban, and a return to the dark ages. Was it worth it? I hope and pray that this is so.

My heart goes out to all the victims of war. My poem, “An email from Afghanistan” that is in my forthcoming book of poems, though relevant, is also poignant and coincidental to the lowering of the Union Flag in that troubled land.

Yours sincerely Robert Cuthbert- Imrie.

Alloa