AN INJURED ex-soldier said he was heartened by the welcome he received from native Americans when he visited the Grand Canyon.
Arron Dindyal, 29 of Copperfield Road, Chigwell, was left with severe injuries to his internal organs, legs and spine after a mortar attack on his camp while he was serving in Iraq with The Royal Anglian Regiment in 2005.
The charity Polo for Heroes organised the trip for him and other former servicemen who were injured in action to Arizona, where they met the Hualapai tribe, who own land surrounding the landmark.
Mr Dindyal said the reception the group had from the Americans helped them come to terms with their injuries.
“It was just such a stark contrast from the way we were treated in the states to some of the attitudes we get in the UK,” he added.
“Strangers come up to you and shake your hand. People were buying us drinks for no reason and when we left the hotel, they did a guard of honour.
“That sort of treatment got a few of the guys quite tearful.
“When I was injured, there was still the animosity towards soldiers because people thought ‘was the Iraq war right or wrong?’”
Former boxing champion Steve Collins, who set up the charity to raise money for Help for Heroes through polo matches, was also on the trip and met members of the group.
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