"I spent 17 years saving lives on the frontline - but the memories haunt me every day."
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 23 ก.พ. 2023
- RAF Chinook crewman Liz McConaghy spent 17 years serving on the frontline in some of the most hostile war zones in the world.
But her life-saving heroics came at a price.
After 10 deployments to Afghanistan as part of the Medical Emergency Response Team, she was medically-discharged and her mental health began to deteriorate. Haunted by what she’d seen, Liz attempted to take her own life in August 2020.
Please take a few minutes to listen to Liz’s incredible story.
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Thanm you for your service Liz!
Just an absolutely amazing lady and great human being. The difference she has undoubtedly made in so many life's during her service/time in the Armed forces. Wishing her all the luck and best wishes for the future xxxxx
The world needs more "Liz McConaghy"s. What a strong person
Amazing people these
I find it so sad how someone who gave everything to save the lives of others then attempted to take their own life. Stay strong miss you did the nation proud 👍
This is the definition of a strong, empowered woman, been through hell and back, doing something I don't think most of us could do. Take note Meghan.
Girl i am an american veteran and you rock !!! If not for heroes like you soldiers like myself might not be here today. Thank you for all you have done.
Surely those men that you treated must have seen you as their angel come to help them. I had the privilege of knowing a wonderful woman who served in a forward aid station in Vietnam. Thank you for your service. Welcome home and know that you’re selflessness will never be forgotten by the lives you touched❤
hats off to this beautiful human
Thank you for helping people
Also i love helicopters
Thank you for your service Liz.
Laying here crying. Thank you for sharing your story.
👏 real heroes don’t wear capes
Liz, so Happy you are still here, with us. My cousin was a pilot flying Chinooks in Vietnam Nam. He loved flying then. STAY STRONG WE SUPPORT VETERANS, HERE IN THE US.
A real life angel that flew in to save the life of the injured, and regardless of any politics she would have saved any life she could where ever she was in the world.
Liz - Absolute full respect. There is nothing much more I can say - you are a true heroine and thankfully still with us.
What a woman,you should be proud of all the lives you saved and tried so hard to save,a very special lady,as are all who served with MERT
An amazing beautiful talented woman, looking forward to getting Liz's Book, Chinook Crew Chick ❤️
You deserve to be here.
24 yrs Marines I’m know were your coming from x❤
Liz you are a credit to this great nation of ours, stand tall and proud, good luck in everything that you do
War is horror , it hurt people physically and mentally.. All we need is peace.
Have to say as an American 2x tour OEF vet it was an honor most of the time to serve with other nationalities fighting the same fight. And she's a damned good example of that and glad she didn't end her life!
Thankyou Liz, as an Australian veteran of Iraq 2, I can't get any recognition of my service, nor any support. Kind of on my own. But that's OK. As an Australian, I'm a tough guy! Hope everything is going well and you're being helped out. You're a champion and beautiful woman.❤
Hi Randall, a lot of people understand and respect what you were deployed to do. Try not to get too down and if you need to talk to someone regarding related issues you must go speak with professional and tell everything that is bothering you. Take care of yourself always first and foremost. Greetings from Hunter Valley NSW.
Hi Randall - US veteran of OEF. It’s hard. You know what you did and sacrificed, some of the people who were 😊there understand, but sadly there are always people who will denigrate the role you played. Ignore them. Find the people who understand. Even veterans will be a$$holes to other veterans at times. You matter, then and now. You aren’t alone. It just feels like it at times.
Shout out to all the tough aussies,
Good work, Randall. You're a legend mate
Liz thankyou for helping us!x
Thank your service and commitment. Thank you for sharing the highs and lows.
What an amazing soldier, you are a credit to your family and comrades. Hold your head high you are a true inspiration to all those who would like to sign up and take the countries shilling. Respect 🙏
God bless you.
I salute you Liz McConaghy. (a veteran)
So happy you are still with us Liz. Its people like you and your colleagues that make this country what it is.
Thanks Liz.
Never give up.
Hugs galore to yourself and all.
Bless you and your ilk.
Invaluable service.
🦘🇦🇺👍
As a veteran myself I am ashamed of our Government when people have valiantly served our country have to rely on charities to support them in times of need.
Our so called leaders have let these people down.
You don't really think we or the government give a to$$ about someone happy to be cannon fodder 😂😂😂😂😂😂
What an amazing, beautiful human being, inside and out, Liz is. Full respect to you for all you have done and continue to do. Best wishes, Daz, Leicester ( also ex RAF, radio comms Chinook 7sqn support in the 80s ).
Liz you are a bloody legend 10 deployments damn that’s an achievement you saved lives and that is an amazing thing. Those of us who survived these things have a duty to live the very best lives we can because the others who didn’t make it back cannot. You matter never ever think otherwise. Veterans who have served a significant amount of time in need something to shift their focus towards once they get out to fill the void of military service stay connected with the veteran community we always need forward movement 🔥 🔥 🔥
I wish more people realised this is what a real superhero looks like.. Her and all of the other veterans. Anyone who has served inside of or not in a warzone. Anyone who signs up to serve in the armed forces or civilian services is a hero. It takes something really special and different in a person to do that. I hope they know how loved they are. All of these stories from the Veterans Foundation are just inspiring and bring me to tears every time. I'm so glad for the ones who find some peace and recovery, but I'm always thinking of the ones who need the extra help and I truly hope they get the help they need.
Far too many of our veterans are suffering in silence and it's upsetting to know they are out there struggling.
From one veteran to another, sister our world is a better place for having you in it❤
you are a wonderfull human being you did an amazing job.
Liz our lord and savior Jesus saved you on that day and probarly many times on the battlefields thank you for telling youre story you are an amazing solider
Thank you for your services Liz from Chicago IL USA
Total respect to you girl thank you
For your service
My Hero / Heroine. Please stay strong.
Amen Mrs x ❤
Stay strong girl, you'll make it. Respect!
Heartbreaking watching this but i can understand, leaving the Forces was the worst time for me and even now i miss it, it was Family and i had a purpose. I hope your in a good place now- you have my full respect and thank you for your service. Just finished reading your Book - addictive and loved it, your my hero Madam.
I have watched a full interview with liz telling the whole story of her distinguished career. Thank you to liz & to all our heroic veterans for their service & sacrifice. I have just signed up for the veterans lottery, hopefully in some small way to thank all veterans for their service. God bless.
It be an honour to spend time with people who are struggling 😊 brotherhood is for life
Just keep strong..
Alot of love and respect liz and many thanks from an ex tom ❤
Liz.....snap i did same as you and woke up in intensive care, wnen hospital staff found out i was a veteran with severe ptsd, they raised my spirits, any way i call that my day 1. .....i am now on year 26. Respect
Very glad you both are still here.
Please Liz we need more people like you sister!
Great video Liz. Thank you. I served in Iraq and Afghan - I still don’t sleep; have nightmares; lost my will and my worth. It all seems so pointless getting out of bed these days.
Johnathan, Please stay strong, look towards the Sun every morning, smile to yourself, the good times will come back. My brother did 25 years in the RAF from national service in Cyprus to the cold war in Berlin. He was medically discharged, he suffered an heart attack whilst working at Templehoff alongside the US he passed away 2 years ago . He missed everything that he'd known from being a teenager, he missed the camaraderie, and the life as a whole being, he was so proud of his uniform and what it represented. My thoughts and prayers are with you, GOD BLESS
People sacraficed alot to keep you safe and alive your friends and other people you never saw. Dont do anything bad to yourself but b proud your alive and live life well as others would have wanted also.
she's and angel in the sky with double ROTTORS!! and mini guns! god bless you Liz and all your love ones!
love
Deep respect Liz. I did 22 years aircrew in the RAF and know what you mean. Fortunately (for me) I was mainly on the Truckie Fleet.
Glad you're recovering, all involved in the MERT were phenomenal. We live near Ben Parkinson and see him quite often, a living tribute to the medics and evacuation crews.
Absolutely a hero. Liz you take my breathe away with your strength.🇨🇦
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼✝️✝️✝️…I’m so happy you’re alive. And thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service God bless you!! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜
Stay Strong sister
Thank you for your service and I pray that the rest of your life is meanful
I never saw combat or was in the RAF. But i totally understand that feeling of getting out of the military and feeling invisible. I was in the USAF for 8 years and when i left i felt lost and depressed. Seeing this gives me hope for the future and motivating me to help my fellow vets. Also i would like to say i did work with the RAF in the middle east and you guys were awesome. Id work with you guys anytime.
Thank you to all that have served their country’s citizens. What military service members see in combat is unlike anything a civilian could ever imagine. Please give them the respect they earned and deserve.
Nobody forced you to go murder people,
God bless you!.. you serve very well... your purpose met.. you have a beatiful soul.. even if I am of different nationality...I feel so proud of you.. God bless you...
Lizz....you are a gem and served well . Chin up medic.
God bless you lass, keep fighting the good fight. My thoughts and prayers are with you
What an incredibly inspiring strong woman.
Always have and always will have total respect for our armed forces in the UK 👍👏👏👏
Respect 🙏
This video has way too few views... Full respect to Liz.
Thank you for all the support out in the front, I always found calm and relief when we cloud hear the big bird coming in to pick up our guys and girls from the ground.
Also thank you for the extreme bravery you showed, I remember on the 5th of May 2010, when we got attacked by the Taliban in the Patrol Base Line north of Gereshk and we had 16 wounded while being in a sandstorm the RAF crew to the change of flying out to help us, even with the extreme risk of losing the capabilities to fly in the storm. You really were some hardcore bad... on the battlefield.
So thank you and all your colleagues, you saved so many of our friends and us in the front line, so keep your head up, the world is a better place with you and your RAF colleagues here alive. :)
Stay strong liz, Was on Op herrick 7, 2007 to early 2008 when Ieas in the Scots guards,
I know guys who were in the RAF Regiment also seen some stuff on the choppers doing FP security for youse aswell.
I was apart of mert force protection for a couple of tours i have serious PTSD i respect you so much you did an amazing job
❤
I am a Critical care paramedic.....and your a life saver.....never forget that...... I am going throw it now..and you are at the uther said.. Xxx
I am an Old Brit who has listened to a number of your TH-cam interviews. At the low point in your life it seems that you thought you had failed. This was absolutely not true. You are a credit to yourself, your family, the Royal Air Force and any of the other very brave people in our Armed Services and a Great Team member
I am glad you failed and are still here. Would have loved to meet you !you must be a wonderful person! Namibia Yo might feel invisable but you hav NO Idea how Valuable you are!❤
What an amazing journey ❤ The important thing is that you are still with us to hear your story … Respect 💯💕
Liz, you’re a true Angel. Those you could help evacuate, the ones you succeded in saving their lives saw you as «their» Angel. But, as you well know, true Angels must earn their wings. The hard way. Then, they took your wings off your chest. So, you decided to join the other Angels, somewhere up there. But the One in charge there told them No, you still had a job down here, where war seems, and is, endless. Hope He knows why. Thank goodness you’re still with us Liz. Every time a CH-47 flies by, your heart full of love must beat as hard as those twin rotors. Love
From an ex forces you got try put it the back your head i no it hard dont torture yourself please i feel for you so much you got a life too live bless you
I spent a lot of time in Afghanistan and fell under the American support. The PJ's I can't say enough of, they were just excellent. The RAF MERT was the gold lined support, no other nation did what the British did. Even though you'd of never of come to help us because of the politics, You were the part of the reason we went out, the real comfort when going out. I know the thoughts of British Soldiers, I'd grown up with, that truly had hope because of the British MERT. Take a little to think that many of us were hugely comforted by having you there and; when we passed one of ours to your care we just knew he was in the best hands in the world. And; yes I'm a British Soldier
Being a normal guy who doesn't suffer from PTSD or anything I can't think or digest the idea of committing suicide which is pretty much the case of her too before when she was younger and not suffering from PTSD at all, so just imagine the level of stress and sufferings a vet has to go through after coming back home from war that makes them feel and see that the only way out is to commit suicide and nothing else cuz it doesn't take a day or a week to make up your mind to commit suicide but months and years of sufferings after which they can't take it anymore...
I have nothing but massive RESPECT for all the VETS out there from every country who have served their country and have to go through PTSD which no one will ever understand nor knows how much they are suffering from within...
You have the heart and courage of a true warrior. I, and my corps salute you. Semper fi 3:01 3:03
What an extraordinary lady and what tremendous honesty, huge respect.
remember when i done my second and last tour in ukraine and i kept going through the names of guys we lost in our squad then whole unit and more and more from all people around it was awful to my mental health i still do it from time to time and still bring me down sometimes it feels like its only what bring me back emotions and only time i can cry but im glad i got lot of help and keep getting help sometimes its annoying but good kind of annoying i cant go back sometimes i want to but i know i cant i love your vid we love our medics
Liz, most sincerely Thank you for your Service.
I am an ex R.A.F. now 87 and always look back with pride at my time in the Mob.
Life is too good to not try and squeeze every moment out of living IT.
Suicide is permanent, no coming back.
No. Thank YOU. I know the noise in the head. You got this :). Best Regards and Best Wishes!
Gal - it sounds like to me that you done your job to the absolute best that you could & while along the way you had to deal with a lot of death & bad stuff but you saved a lot of people & helped a lot of people. I thank you for serving queen & country. Hold your head up gal - you’re a real good one.
LIONESS ❤
I bow to the Savior. Taking a Knee is an insult to you and your Boys and Girls.
Where’s did you serve
❤🎗️🫡🇬🇧🇩🇪🎗️🍀
I wanna play the Veterans lottery, how do you play?
Does the Royal Air Force operate the Chinooks? Not the Army
Can someone explain to me how you finish basic training and then jump to Sgt in rank?
FOR THE GODS SAKE MATE OR SISTERS , WHATEVER IS THIS VETERAN'S LOTTERY, PLEASE FOR GODS SAKE PUT THE MONEY WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT WHAT, THIS TIME. IT IS LOOKING HUGE MAN.. I ALSO URGE EVERYONE TO SUPPORT THE LOST PEOPLE'S RIGHTS, AND THE HERO'S RIGHTS AND ULTIMATELY THE HUMAN RIGHTS AS FOR THE GOOD'S SAKE, IF WE EVEN THINK THAT, THERE IS NO GOD AFTER THIS TROUBLES WE FACE. SO FOR THE GOOD'S SAKE, NOT FOR GOD'S. I, the little loser thinking to end my life by myself in this hard time, this sister's story reminds me a lot. I must force myself to do it after this moment but I must.
I WONDER how you got to become Sargent ''Straight away''..... 🙃
I can't imagine all the horrific things this incredible lady has seen, but i can totally relate to wanting to kill yourself I've made several attempts over the years, I'm so glad she got through that part of her life and hopefully came out alot stronger with a new lust for life .❤❤❤❤
...and where's the UK government ...they put these people there and now they have to rely on a lottery for support? :(
Is this just uk soldiers? My husband is an us army veteran and is struggling bad he’s 100’% disabled and really not ok. We’re homeless with our kids again and the us military does not help.
Did you lose your hearing? Chinooks are noisy!
i dont believe her for a second