Prince Charles Urges Public Awareness Of The Country's Troops

Britain's Prince Charles has urged the public to think of the country's troops. The 60-year-old royal made his comments as he launched The Sun Military Awards 2009, which aim to commend and commemorate the forces.

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Writing in Britain's The Sun newspaper, which is behind the prizes, he said: "Sometimes it is not until they return home in flag-draped coffins that we become truly aware of all that we are asking of them."

Charles is the patron of the awards, which hope to draw attention not only to troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan but also to those working behind the scenes at home and abroad.

In the rest of his open letter, the prince spoke of his grief when British troops are killed.

He said: "My heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones in conflicts overseas. I can barely begin to imagine the unbearable anguish and grief they are suffering as they come to terms with their loss."

"At times like this it is hard to find a way of expressing adequately the depth of my sympathy and gratitude to the young men and women, and their families, who sacrifice so much for this country."

I know my gratitude is shared by the vast majority of people in the U.K."

People are currently being asked to nominate those they think should be honored at the awards. They will be judged by a board including soccer star and England captain John Terry, Olympic gold medalist Dame Kelly Holmes and four ex-servicemen. The winners will be named during a ceremony held at London's Hampton Court Palace broadcast on TV in December.