Sergeant Todd Langley killed in Afghanistan fire-fight, another Digger wounded

AUSTRALIA'S latest combat fatality in Afghanistan, Sergeant Todd Langley, was on his seventh tour of war zone duty when killed by enemy fire, Defence officials revealed today.

The 35-year old veteran of the Sydney-based 2nd Commando Regiment was helping clear out an area in southern Afghanistan when he was hit in the head by insurgent fire and died on the battle field yesterday.

A second Australian in his group, whose name has not been released, was wounded and is now in a serious condition but has contacted his family.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Australia was mourning the loss of a very brave man, "one of the best of our best".

Sgt Langley's extensive combat record raised the issue of men returning again and again to war zones, and whether they should be kept home.

They said Sgt Langley was a true leader, an exceptionally experienced and decorated soldier, and a devoted family man on his fifth deployment to Afghanistan. He had also completed two tours of East Timor.

He had been awarded two commendations for distinguished service and had a unit citation for gallantry.

Australia has 1500 troops in Afghanistan but is the third biggest provider of special forces among the NATO-led allies.

THE FINAL
INSPECTION

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass..
‘Step forward now, soldier,

How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?’
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,

‘No, Lord, I guess I have not.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills just got too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear..
And sometimes, God, forgive me
I’ve wept unmanly tears.

I know I don’t deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears
If you’ve a place for me here, Lord,
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

‘Step forward now, you soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in Hell.’

It’s the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the Freedom of the Press.

It’s the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the Freedom of Speech.

It’s the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..

It’s the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the Freedom of the Press.

It’s the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the Freedom of Speech.

It’s the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness..

It’s the Soldier who salutes the Flag,
Who serves beneath the Flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the Flag.

THESE COLORS DON’T RUN

Lest anyone misunderstand, understand this, Christ never rebuked the Centurion for being a soldier:

Mat 8:5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,
Mat 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.
Mat 8:7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him.
Mat 8:8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
Mat 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
Mat 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
Mat 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Mat 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

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