Sylvia Brown was proud to be British after watching the homecoming parade of the Royal Anglian Regiment (June 22), calling those who took part angels.

Unfortunately these brave soldiers are not making our lives safe. The reverse is true.

I can think of many reasons to be proud of my country, but playing a major role in the United States-inspired invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, which have caused suffering and death to thousands of innocent people, is not one of them.

Why are we the only European or indeed Commonwealth country who feels the need to send thousands of our young men and women to fight in these foreign lands?

Many countries have sent relatively small contingents of troops in what is in reality more of a token gesture, more wisely refused to blindly support America’s flawed foreign policy. By doing so they have kept their people safe from any reprisals.

This is the time for reflection.

Alan Harvey
East Street
Rochford