The First Gulf War

Health reasons have prevented the Club's longest serving member, Rotarian Joe Thomson (a member since 1955), attending Club meetings for some time. Accordingly, at the weekly meeting, there was unanimous and ready agreement by members upon a Club Council proposal to accord Joe Honorary Membership. Club President Brian Munro was warmly welcomed back into the fold on his return from a recent near mountain top experience on Mont Blanc. It is hoped well earned sponsorship of his efforts will ease the discomfort of bruises and bumps that were his lot on Mont Blanc! After lunch, Immediate Past President Les Soper briefly returned to a previous life when he was Major Soper REME serving in Iraq with 1 Armoured Div 1990-1991 in The First Gulf War. With current ISIS horrors in Northern Iraq, a short sobering description by Les of his own experiences and encounters with conflict in that still troubled land impacted on all present. From his graphic account of events like carrying the can at senior level to oversee battle damage repair to tanks and armoured personnel carriers, just coping with harsh desert conditions, and tasked with grisly rear party work to clear bomb and shell shattered Iraqui convoys on the Basra road; it was clear that in common with many who have seen active service, it remains vivid with Major (Retired) Les Soper. On behalf of his fellow Rotarians Ron McGill thanked Les for a frank and personal account of his experiences.