Wish more sportsmen were like this..........
Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:58 pm
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales ... -31241032/
I am no egg lover but fair play. I wish more sports people would do things like this.
Respect.
Triple Grand Slam winner and Wales captain Ryan Jones has surprised troops serving in Afghanistan with a personal letter.
The Ospreys forward, who has captained his country 28 times, wrote to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at their base in Helmand Province.
The 31-year-old, who wears the Number 8 shirt in the third and final test against Australia today, described the regiment as a “real inspiration”.
He said: “As I sit here, amongst my ‘boys on tour’, on the other side of the world, I thought I’d take the opportunity to drop a line to some other touring heroes.”
In the letter, the second row expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the family of Lance Corporal Lee Davies, who was shot dead by a rogue policeman in May.
“It is with great sadness [that] I read about the funeral of Lance Corporal Lee Davies and my thoughts go out to his family, friends and the rest of the regiment,” Jones wrote.
It is not the first time Jones, who has been capped 66 times by Wales and three times by the British Lions, has shown his support for Welsh troops.
In 2010 he met with four injured soldiers who were undergoing treatment at the Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility in St Athan.
Lance Corporal William Woodgates was injured when a policeman opened fired on his patrol who had all removed their flak jackets to have a cup of tea at a police checkpoint in the Nad Ali district of Helmand Province.
At the time, L/Cpl Woodgates said: “You can’t imagine what it’s been like for the soldiers but little things like the players taking time out to meet you make your day and give you a real buzz.”
Demonstrating a humble modesty that could be considered refreshing in today’s professional sports industry, Jones writes: “To guys like me who sit around moaning about the weather, air con, food and losing, you blokes are a real inspiration who deserve the recognition and support in everything you do not only from the team but from the nation too.”
He added: “Both the team and I wish you all a successful tour but more importantly a safe return home. Go hard and stay safe, boys.”
When the message was received at the battalion’s operational headquarters in Lashkar Gar, Regimental Sergeant Major Brian Baldwin said he was initially speechless.
“To the boys and I, Ryan Jones and the Welsh rugby team are heroes,” he said.
“Even the most remote locations have moved hell and high water to make sure they were able to follow every match. Words cannot describe what a message like this means to the boys.”
And in a joint statement the battalion said: “Thank you for your amazing message.
“It is a huge morale boost for every guardsman and Welshman in theatre.
“Rest assured when you step out onto that pitch to face the Wallabies you will have the entire regiment and the nation behind you.
“The Welsh rugby team stand for everything that is great about our nation and your dragon’s heart, strength of character and dogged Welsh courage makes everyone in the regiment proud to be Welsh.
“As we say out here, keep low and move fast (especially you Dan Lydiate). Cymru am byth.”
I am no egg lover but fair play. I wish more sports people would do things like this.
Respect.
Triple Grand Slam winner and Wales captain Ryan Jones has surprised troops serving in Afghanistan with a personal letter.
The Ospreys forward, who has captained his country 28 times, wrote to 1st Battalion Welsh Guards at their base in Helmand Province.
The 31-year-old, who wears the Number 8 shirt in the third and final test against Australia today, described the regiment as a “real inspiration”.
He said: “As I sit here, amongst my ‘boys on tour’, on the other side of the world, I thought I’d take the opportunity to drop a line to some other touring heroes.”
In the letter, the second row expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the family of Lance Corporal Lee Davies, who was shot dead by a rogue policeman in May.
“It is with great sadness [that] I read about the funeral of Lance Corporal Lee Davies and my thoughts go out to his family, friends and the rest of the regiment,” Jones wrote.
It is not the first time Jones, who has been capped 66 times by Wales and three times by the British Lions, has shown his support for Welsh troops.
In 2010 he met with four injured soldiers who were undergoing treatment at the Primary Care Rehabilitation Facility in St Athan.
Lance Corporal William Woodgates was injured when a policeman opened fired on his patrol who had all removed their flak jackets to have a cup of tea at a police checkpoint in the Nad Ali district of Helmand Province.
At the time, L/Cpl Woodgates said: “You can’t imagine what it’s been like for the soldiers but little things like the players taking time out to meet you make your day and give you a real buzz.”
Demonstrating a humble modesty that could be considered refreshing in today’s professional sports industry, Jones writes: “To guys like me who sit around moaning about the weather, air con, food and losing, you blokes are a real inspiration who deserve the recognition and support in everything you do not only from the team but from the nation too.”
He added: “Both the team and I wish you all a successful tour but more importantly a safe return home. Go hard and stay safe, boys.”
When the message was received at the battalion’s operational headquarters in Lashkar Gar, Regimental Sergeant Major Brian Baldwin said he was initially speechless.
“To the boys and I, Ryan Jones and the Welsh rugby team are heroes,” he said.
“Even the most remote locations have moved hell and high water to make sure they were able to follow every match. Words cannot describe what a message like this means to the boys.”
And in a joint statement the battalion said: “Thank you for your amazing message.
“It is a huge morale boost for every guardsman and Welshman in theatre.
“Rest assured when you step out onto that pitch to face the Wallabies you will have the entire regiment and the nation behind you.
“The Welsh rugby team stand for everything that is great about our nation and your dragon’s heart, strength of character and dogged Welsh courage makes everyone in the regiment proud to be Welsh.
“As we say out here, keep low and move fast (especially you Dan Lydiate). Cymru am byth.”
Re: Wish more sportsmen were like this..........
Sat Jun 23, 2012 9:03 pm
top bloke gutted about this morning!
Re: Wish more sportsmen were like this..........
Sun Jun 24, 2012 8:54 am
well done ryan jones,wish more sportsmen realised that there are harder jobs out there and they are lucky ,great to take time out and express how he felt about our guys .