1 EAGLETON NOTES: Invictus

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Monday 22 October 2018

Invictus

Invictus: Latin adjective, "unconquered, unsubdued, invincible."

I'm not a Royalist as such. I'm not a particular follower of the Olympics or of athletics competitions.

However, having watched Prince Harry at the opening of the Invictus Games I was exceptionally impressed by his sincerity (and the fact that there wasn't a cue-card in sight). So I decided to learn something about the Invictus Games which he brought into being after a trip to the Warrior Games in the USA in 2013 when he saw first-hand how the power of sport can help physically, psychologically and socially those suffering from injuries and illness.

For those who might not know, Prince Harry was a member of the armed forces who saw active service and rose through the ranks to be a Captain in the Blues and Royals and served in Afghanistan.

Most of us will never know the full horrors of combat. Many Servicemen and women suffer life-changing injuries, visible or otherwise, whilst serving their country.
 
The Games embody the fighting spirit of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel and personifies what these tenacious men and women can achieve post injury. The Games harness the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect for those who serve their country.

"The Invictus Games is about much more than just sport – it captures hearts, challenges minds and changes lives."
 
Long may it continue so to do.

25 comments:

  1. Now I know what the Invictus Games are, and I admire Prince Harry and all the people involved.

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    1. Terra, that one moment of watching him made me sit up and take notice .

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  2. Here, here. He is one of the more useful ones.

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  3. I'm pleased Harry has got his initiative up and running and I am pleased about the outcomes.

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    1. I'm glad, Kylie. He's down your way at the moment and appears to be pretty popular.

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  4. He's proving to be a good lad. This initiative will be his legacy. I am probably more of a royalist than you, but I don't actively watch the games. I'll have to find his speech on YouTube.

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    1. Cro, the speech says a lot about him in my humble opinion.

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  5. I see you, too, have been spam-commented by co coya. He/she has been around for about a week or so now, and I find these comments on my blog and several others I read. Please do not simply delete it but declare it as "spam" before you do so. That way, blogger's spam filter can slowly be taught to not let co coya through.

    Back to your topic: This is the first time I hear of the Invictus Games. It sounds like a good way to not only make the general public more aware of the situation of those who return from active service, but also to really make a difference in the lives of those who have been suffering some kind of damage from it. Hats off.

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    1. Yes, Meike. I always mark his a a few others as being spam but one in particular (p. s.) seems to have been around a long time with impunity.

      I'm glad I've brought the Games to your notice. I'm not sure how Team Germany has done so far but then I don't know how Team GB has done either.

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  6. I think I understand now why there is an 'I' and and the 'AM' highlighted. We have aways known about Invicta as the Kent county's white horse.

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    1. Well, Potty, that's a fact that I should have known but didn't.

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  7. I'm not a royalist either but I appreciate how sincere both him and his brother seem to be.

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    1. Yes, Amy, they seem to be rather more like their Grandmother, The Queen, in that way.

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  8. Everything about the Invictus Games is outstanding...totally awesome. Harry is wonderful. I'm a true fan. The visit he and Meghan have just made to Australia has been terrific in every way. It was filled with myriad magical, natural moments. I've not a bad word to say about the couple...nor about the wonderful Invictus Games that Harry has brought to the world. He is a fine young man.

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    1. Have a look at these when you get a spare moment or two, Graham...

      https://www.facebook.com/ABCTV/videos/161326621479432/

      https://www.who.com.au/prince-harry-in-budgie-smugglers

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    2. Thanks for your view, Lee. I was glad to hear them. I shall have a look at the links shortly.

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  9. I am wild about Harry! His sincerity is pleasant to behold these days, is it not? I am glad that Lee left her comments above. I have been envious of all those in Australia with Harry and his bride visiting down under!

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    1. Indeed, Kay, his sincerity is good to experience. I think he's a pretty good ambassador too.

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  10. It used to be that disabled ex-servicemen (and some women) were hidden away as if their continued existence was a national embarrassment. Events like this put them in the spotlight so that the rest of us won't forget them any more.

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    1. YP they were so often neglected in many ways and attitudes were very different. Even today the mental trauma is not coped with well by others and makes us (generalising) feel uncomfortable. Anything at all that creates awareness and helps those who have been disabled is a Good Thing. When I gre up our next door neighbour had lost an arm in the war and was a member of BLESMA. Coincidentally I saw a sign to a local branch somewhere recently. They did a lot of good work. I still treasure a picture of Liverpool Cathedral that he drew in Indian Ink and gave to my parents.

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  11. Not a Royalist either, but I do admire Kate and Will, and Meghan and Harry - they seem to be aware, and care enough to respond to current events with compassionate hearts.

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