“We thank you. We admire you. God bless you all.”

The heartfelt words of Councillor Nick Brice were greeted with unanimous agreement across the council chamber as they debated Councillor Rodney Chambers’ motion supporting our Armed Forces on Thursday, November 22.

The motion’s text, which was agreed unanimously, as written in the agenda, is as follows: “Our armed forces are acting in the highest traditions of our nation in their conduct of operations overseas. Reservists and regular servicemen and women alike share the burden and risks and they do so in the most difficult of circumstances, with great pressure on manpower and other resources. On behalf of the people of Medway this Council wishes to express admiration at the bravery, endurance and professionalism of our servicemen and women, as well as the fortitude and quiet courage of their families at home in the United Kingdom.”

The response from members was overwhelming, and below I have decided to share as much of it with you as possible, interspersed with my personal opinions on some members’ comments.

All “quotations” are not verbatim as my tired little hands were not able to write fast enough to catch every word, although I have tried to quote what I can, and where I believe it to be verbatim and of particular interest, I have written it in ‘inverse commas’.

Councillor Rodney Chambers (Con, Hempstead and Wigmore) started off the debate. “I hope this motion can gain unanimous support. It is not intended to be political or controversial. Over the past few weeks, many of us have attended services of remembrance. ‘It is right to remember those who have given their lives’ and also serving forces. This topic has had a great deal of publicity recently. It is said that there is a feeling of a lack of appreciation in our community and lack of understanding as to why they have been sent there. Soldiers fighting abroad fell their families are being neglected, in particular their welfare and housing. I would like to convey to all personnel our grateful thanks and appreciation for everything they do.”

Councillor Paul Godwin (Lab, Chatham Central) was next. “In principal I am happy to support this motion. The issue of the current position is always a concern for all of us and for decades has been a feature of all Army leaders’ concerns. However, support comes at a cost, and the cost must be proportional.”

I should just like to point out here that £9bn for fighting African aids against £400m for fighting in Afghanistan is greatly disproportional and immensely unfair in my view, and is disgraceful treatment of our Armed Services by the then Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Councillor John Ward (Con, Rochester South and Horsted). “I am fully supportive of this motion. Warring and fighting is terrible, but recently I was reminded by a song from the Innes Book of Records (and its video), Time to Kill, which brings a lot of things home. Members from all sides can view it, courtesy of Cllr Etheridge, at StroodConservatives.com.”

Councillor Teresa Murray (Lab, Rochester East). “It is very important to remember the contribution they play in peacekeeping and rebuilding communities. Soldiers retiring, particularly younger ones, need to find jobs, affordable housing and even such things as a family doctor. I hope Councillor Chambers enshrines in his motion our responsibility to them.”

It is indeed true that we all have a responsibility to help our serving and retired servicemen and women, particularly when they are getting younger and younger.

Councillor Nicholas Brice (Con, Rochester South and Horsted). “I was discussing with the Mayor outside Rochester Cathedral on the day of the Remembrance service the right we have to differ in public on any issue. If we cannot move this declaration, then our grand plans come to nought. ‘We thank you. We admire you. God bless you all.’”

Councillor Stephen Kearney (LD, Gillingham South). “I like many people have sold poppies, but we [as a Council] need to show what we can do. People will need specialist care, particularly as there are now people in their early 20s coming home. Whatever we can do to help these people we should do.”

Councillor Paul Harriot (Lab, Twydall). “I am reminded by the vicar of St Mark’s Church [Canon John Saunders]‘s sermon at the remembrance service there, when he said “the price of freedom is not free”. It is important for servicemen to understand that they serve their Country and the Queen. Young men enter service of their own choice (unlike me, who like most people my age were called up for National Service). I give 100% support to this motion.”

Canon John Saunders’ sermon was indeed as thought provoking as some of the responses given to this motion. He reminded us that the cost of war (and thus freedom) is higher than the statistics show, because for every serviceman who dies or gets injured, there are family and friends who are directly affected. Freedom comes at a price, and we must ensure that the people who will be paying that price with their lives are adequately cared for and feel valued and appreciated.

Councillor Herbert Crack (LD, Watling). “I endorse this motion. We hear so much about the youth of today and the “hoodie culture” that we often forget that it is the youth of today out there fighting for our Country today.”

Councillor Diane Chambers (Con, Hempstead and Wigmore). “A friend’s son died fighting in Iraq. In the last letter he sent to his parents he said “it’s a mess here but I love what I do. I wouldn’t be anywhere else but here with my men.”"

Councillor Jane Etheridge (Con, Strood North). “It is times like these that draw communities together. It would be appropriate if we could remember those in newer conflicts.”

Councillor Tony Goulden (Lab, Luton and Wayfield). “This is an excellent motion.”

Councillor Alan Jarrett (Con, Lordswood and Capstone) had a slightly different way of putting things. “Today’s soldiers are all volunteers (unlike those, including Cllr Harriot, who were conscripts). For different reasons we all choose to serve our community, but our wives and families expect us to come home. Some servicemen are unable to. The media gives little mention to soldiers who die for their Country, yet are likely to debate for months how ‘McClaren’s dire tribe and bunch of misfits’ let us down last night. It is a sad sign of the times when our servicemen and women are dying, yet the only photograph on the front page of a national newspaper is that of a deflated football.”

Councillor Rodney Chambers (Con, Hempstead and Wigmore). “Local people who died should be remembered locally. I have had the pleasure to live amongst the RE Corps for nearly 32 years. I think we should grant the freedom of Medway on the Corps as part of our appreciation.”

Councillor Chambers then proposed a motion to be discussed at a special meeting of the Council before the next full Council meeting on January 17, which read that “the freedom of Medway be conferred upon the Royal Engineers.” This was agreed.