Birthday tribute to Airdrie solider in Afghanistan

Oct 28 2009 by Judith Tonner, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

Private John Logan

THE family of a young Airdrie soldier who marked his 21st birthday while serving in Afghanistan are counting the days until his safe return.

Private John Logan is soon due to complete an eight-month tour as part of Operation Panther’s Claw, during which he and his comrades also contributed to the security of the country’s election.

In a phone call home, he described his special birthday on October 10 as “just another day” on the front line, but is looking forward to his well-earned return home to Petersburn next month.

Waiting to welcome him are parents Martha and John, partner Sarah, sisters Lynne and Yvonne and new nephew Aaron, Yvonne’s six-month-old son whom John has so far met only once while on leave.

Martha said: “We spoke to him on the day and he said he had recently been on operations, but although it was his birthday, it was just another day for him out there.

“Our cards reached him and he was given the day off for his birthday, but he said it was his day off for the week anyway!

“On his return to this country, John will go back to his barracks in Inverness at first and then he will have three weeks off back here with his family and friends in Airdrie.

“He and his girlfriend are moving into a new house so he’s really coming home to a new life.

“We hope to throw a special birthday and housewarming party to welcome him home.”

Private Logan joined the Royal Scots straight after leaving Caldervale High, and has been serving in Afghanistan with the Black Watch.

He joined up four years ago and served a tour of duty in Iraq last year.

Martha said: “John grew up desperate to be in the army, as my husband served for three years, and as soon as he turned 16 he went along and got the papers to join up.

“He’s a great boy who wanted to be on the front line and thinks somebody has to do that job.

“I can’t tell how it makes me feel when he’s on operations, hoping and praying that nothing goes wrong and the relief when he gets to phone and let us know he’s safe.”