Don, I encountered that story elsewhere on the web. It was essentially the same as what you related. As I recall: The Gurkha leader told his NCO that they would drop from 700 feet into jungle. The NCO returned a short while later and said the men were a bit worried about that and could they please be dropped from 300 feet instead. The leader said, "But if you do that your chutes won't have time to open." The NCO got a big smile on his face and said, "Oh, we'll have parachutes?" He left with a grin on his face to inform the troops.

Nice post, Penny.

Mrs Lumley, wherever you are, the people who know about what you are doing on behalf of the Gurkha families have overwhelming respect for you. Imo, you have as much courage as the soldiers themselves.