Afghanistan

'Look at me': Message to Trump from Britain's most seriously injured commando in Afghan war

Jon White told BFBS Forces News that he felt President Trump's comments don't reflect the views of most Americans

Jon White was serving as Captain in command of Reconnaissance Troop, 40 Commando in Afghanistan in 2010 when he stood on a pressure plate Improvised Explosive Device.

He lost both legs and an arm.

Today, as President Trump claimed that Nato allies remained behind the frontlines of that conflict, I asked Jon what his message would be to the leader of the United States.

His reply was straight to the point.

"I just say, look at me," the former Royal Marine said.

"Look at all the other people like me who are still here. You know, look at the families of those that were lost. And just take a moment to think about that and think about what you've said."

Since Jon was injured, he's become a Para-athlete, studied for a BSc in Psychology and qualified as an executive coach.

He thinks the president's attitude – as well as being wrong – doesn't mirror the views of most Americans.

"I've spent a lot of time in the US since my injuries. I used to get a lot of my prosthetic care done over there, and I cannot tell you how many hundreds of people have thanked me for my service in that time.

"How many times I've gone to pay in restaurants and found out that my bill's already been covered.

"Or people have just bought me coffee in a coffee shop when they asked if I'd served. So I know for a fact that the American people, as a whole, will appreciate what happened out there."

Reflecting on the president's comments, he continued: "I think it just shows a massive misunderstanding about what the situation was out in Afghanistan and how we were operating out there."

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