Pusillanimous, lack of courage or determination, the opposite of magnanimous.  It reminded me…

Years ago a close friend was taking about magnanimity. I had no idea what the word meant. I hadn’t heard it before. 

He shared with me an eve of battle speech by Colonel Tim Collins. The words echo through me. I revisit from time to time. 

Views on war, what’s right and wrong, the reasons behind it, debatable, open to vast interpretation and intention. One, or I, hope that we all wish to live in understanding, respectful harmony with one another.

The absurdity of the human condition dictates otherwise. Our differing learnt beliefs, perceptions of right and wrong doing, greed, desire for power and egos are so deeply entrenched. It doesn’t only apply on the World stage. I observe it  within local communities, business, our own families and relationships. Sometimes in myself. When do we learn? 

I would like to share the speech with you. If you’re not familiar do read. If you are familiar perhaps you might refresh. Maybe it moves you as it does me. Maybe for different reasons. 

‘We go to Iraq to liberate not to conquer. 

We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. 

Show respect for them. 

There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey we will not send. As for the others I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory. 

Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the great flood and the birthplace of Abraham. 

Tread lightly there. 

You will see things that no man could pay to see and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing. Don’t treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know the light of liberation in their lives was bought by you. 

If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. 

Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves. 

It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive but there may be people among us who will not see the the end of this campaign. We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. 

There will be no time for sorrow. 

The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction. 

There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and the are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam. 

He an his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity. 

It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly. I know of men who have taken needlessly in other conflicts, I can assure you they live with the Mark of Cain upon them. 

If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they home to their family. 

The ones who wish to fight, well we aim to please. 

If you harm the Regiment or it’s history by over-enthusiasm in killing or cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer. You will be shunned unless your conduct is the highest – for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation. 

It is not a question of if, it’s a question of when. We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. 

If we survive the first strike we survive the attack. 

As for ourselves, let’s bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there. 

Our business now is North.’ 

Chilling. Pusillanimous or magnanimous? I know what I choose to be and practice.