There appears to be an obsession with the idea that 100 soldiers killed in Afghanistan is a significant milestone. It isn’t.
The number 100 is a man made construct, only relevant because we count in the decimal system. Just as a kilometre is a “milestone”, so too is a mile but in a different way to a kilometre. They are all units of measure, not importance.
The loss of any individual is hugely important to family and friends and the loss of the first, 10th 100th and no doubt the 101st will all be equally important in their own unique way and to their unique relationships.
We lost 253 servicemen during the 6 weeks of the Falklands War. This year we have sadly lost 100 servicemen in Afghanistan. We will lose more, possibly even this year, and those losses will be equally painful but they will be no less a milestone to the families impacted. Every death is a important milestone, but if we turn back then all the miles walked will have been for nought.
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If you don't turn back you will lose more lives, just like the losses of the participants in the Vietnam war. Wars are run for politicians to suit their own ends. Politicians shouldn't be allowed to determine what 'serving our country' means. (Message from an Australian).