Parents’ pride
Thursday, 9 October 2008
Martin and Karen Millar proud parents read the national papers of their son Blane, who is serving in the Royal Irish in Afghanistan.
LOCAL parents of a teenage soldier fighting in Afghanistan have spoken to the Guardian about their love and "immense pride" for their son after his mention by Conservative leader, David Cameron in his party conference speech.
During a visit to British troops in Helmand province last month, Mr Cameron met Blane Millar, who is thought to be the youngest of 7,600 British troops in Afghanistan.
During the party conference speech, Mr Cameron told his audience: "Up the Helmand river, in a place called Sangin, I met a soldier in the Royal Irish Regiment, Rgr Blane Millar.
“He had only just turned 18 years old. He was the youngest soldier there; not much more than a boy and he's there in the 45 degree heat, fighting a ferocious enemy on the other side of the world.
“I said to him: 'You are doing an incredible job'. And I remember he just said: 'I'm just doing my duty'."
Blane's parents, Martin and Karen Millar, were told that he was going o receive a mention but they had no idea of the media frenzy that would follow.
“It was in all the papers and it was talked about on the Nolan Show and everyone has been very supportive," Martin told the Guardian this week.
“Apart from one caller on the Nolan Show," Karen added. "The way he talked about it was as if Blane didn't know any better. I wish I had a chance to speak to him," she said.
“He has always wanted to be a soldier; ever since he could walk and he's never grown out of it. Blane used to listen to stories from his uncle, Bobby Orr, who was RSM for the Royal Irish in Ballymena.
“The military is definitely in his blood," Karen added.
Blane had a happy childhood attending Ballykeel Primary School where he won a history award and proved very capable as a student at Ballymena Academy.
“He was quite academic at school; loved history," Martin said, "but as soon as he hit 16, he left. He knew he wanted to join the army and there was nothing we could do to stop him."
“We made sure he got good grades though," said Karen. "We said that we wouldn't sign him in to the Irish Guards unless he did well at school."
In fact, Blane did so well, at both his GCSEs and his army entrance exams, that the recruitment officer suggested that he should go to Sandhurst and enter the army as an officer.
“Blane refused," Martin revealed, adding: "He wanted to go in at the bottom and work his way up. I've never seen him happier than when he found out he could join the Irish Guards"
Karen added: "We knew that he would not be sent away anywhere with the Irish Guards but as soon as he passed out he transferred to the Royal Irish and was shipped out in April, ten days after his 18th birthday.
