“No Man Left Behind” YET…More support for the traumatized veterans and their families is urgently needed! In memory of Sergeant Sean Binnie

“No Man Left Behind” is another Military saying meaning no soldier will be left on the battlefield. The Latin version, nemo reside, is the motto of the American Marine Corps’ Personnel Retrieval and Processing Company, the team charged with retrieving the remains of fallen service members from the battlefield.

As part of my research, I went to meet army wife and mother, Janette Binnie, mother of Sergeant Sean Binnie who served with 3 Scots, the Black Watch Regiment. Sean was 22 years old and was training Afghan soldiers in Helmand Province in 2009. Without concern for his own safety, Sean moved towards Taliban soldiers, before he was fatally shot by a gunman hiding in a doorway. He saved two soldiers, and a mother and her two children.

As Harry [the curator] and I sat drinking tea in Janette’s front room which had the biggest TV screen I have ever seen and much memorabilia and photographs of Sean’s days in the Army, Janette chatted to us about her son and showed us photographs of him partying with his close Army friends and family. She said he loved being in the Army, as his father had been, it was his life’s calling. Sean was extremely ambitious, having climbed to rank of Sergeant within 5 years! Not to mention his wicked sense of humor and cheeky smile.

Janette also told us “Sean had a really strong bond with his squad mates so you can imagine what they must have gone through when Sean was killed in front of them.”

“The pain of losing your child never goes away, I never stop missing him, but life goes on."

Recently, since the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in August this year, Janette has set up a fundraising scheme with Poppyscotland to support other veterans and their families. “Sean fought for our safety and freedom, so I’m asking that people donate the price of a pint, or even a pound or two, to honor his memory and to support other veterans, I am hoping to raise £20,000 for Poppyscotland as I don’t think there is enough support for Scottish veterans who have returned from combat and are suffering from PTSD and other issues."

Celia's work was made for this exhibition and is part of our silent auction, proceeds from the highest bid will go to Janette Binnie's fundraiser for Poppy Scotland.

You can also donate directly to Janette's fundraiser at the below link.