Lest We Forget

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  Amen

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  in the first world war. Australia lost about 60 000 dead. mainly due to the logistical failures and strategic attitudes of the English. our army even fought under the union jack in that war (our current flag was not made official until the mid 1950s). we actually borrowed money of the English to aford the army we sent, and in the great depression the payments nearly bought Australia to it's knees. it was a European war that would have had nearly no bearing on Australia which ever way it swang.it's very hard to imagine all these men died for the freedom of other Australians. that all seems an awful waste to me :-(still... i'll always respect and thank our service men. just not always the things they are told to do.

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  Yesterday I cried....was not expecting to...but the images of all those young men on my t.v screen,many who died ,just seemed like such a pointless waste.And lets not forget the men and women who in the current conflicts that Australia is involved, in come home either physically or emotionally maimed or both. I may not agree with Government policy and the wars they are sent too ,but I will always support the service men and women who go there. x Hugs H ps .great topic coodie x

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  celebrated my Grandfather.... who saw 3 years of service in Europe for the Great War, and then reenlisted in 1942 for the War with Japan ...... my Uncles who served in the RAAF from 1939 and 1942.....and my Father who saw active duty in Vietnam....every one of them a hero to our family...

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  This is not a place to voice something of such nature, I think no matter where you are or where you voice your self if you genuinely spare a thought for the fallen then voice your words any where and every where. Yes I feel sorry for those that loose and lost loved ones, though Britain and Australia till recently where one of the very few countries that don’t have conscription. So it is also a choice (little different for world war 2 maybe Vietnam and prior) So people volunteer, and proud within them selves to fight for the country In turn I too am proud of them for what they did and do and prices paid Obviously no one wants to die and I feel sad for the ones that do and friends lost over the years yet more proud than sad. I feel sorry for the ones we fight against as they are more often than not forced as in conscription Then there is all the things that don’t reach the public eye and in some cases the brain washing soldiers get about their said enemy and the cover-ups afterwards Then the treatment these soldiers get on there return by their country (not speaking of the public here) that they where willing to pay the ultimate price for. Littleredengine - I am not here to stand up for he British government (I actually hate them with a passion and always will) but did you also know that a (single) serving British soldier in sunny Germany actually gets paid less going to war than he would if on exercise/ manoeuvres. It is cheaper to live in Bosnia than in Germany, so the overseas allowance is cut, like wise the Gulf. A married person received an allowance for being away from his partner. Shortly after new rules came out for the single soldier. However British soldiers to this day as far as I am aware get no extra money for being at war, Belgians, Germans, Australians, Americans pretty much every other country get quite a sum for going to war. I am not justifying British nor making it sound they are hard done by but just another fact most don’t know about. The Medal presented to the Soldiers of the first Gulf war by the king of Kuwait is not allowed to be worn on British uniform - It was seen as a payment and the government said that British Soldiers are not mercenaries There are many other little stories and things some may not be public knowledge but this is not the time, place or post for such topics but to have pride in the people that did give everything for what they believed in and spare a thought for them

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  here here

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  I grew up in an army family. My dad was in two wars quite some time before he met my mum in the early 60s. I can be pretty sure that he didn't fight any of those wars for freedom or liberty or the rule of law or freedom of speech. Nor did any of his mates who I met in officers' messes or the RSL. War is nasty and messy and it kills people and it maims and hurts and kills long after it has ended. Anzac Day is not a day to glorify that. It is a day for men like my dad (and women - let's not forget the women who were nurses and who have been and are on the front line) to meet with the only other people in the world who they can talk to about this stuff. Lest We Forget? Maybe. Perhaps more lest they be forgotten. Because they have been. All we have is legend and bullshit and patriotism. That's not the man I grew up with and it's not the army story I know.

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  Quoting 'Heedlesshorseman' This is not a place to voice something of such nature, I think no matter where you are or where you voice your self if you genuinely spare a thought for the fallen then voice your words any where and every where. Yes I feel sorry for those that loose and lost loved ones, though Britain and Australia till recently where one of the very few countries that don’t have conscription. So it is also a choice (little different for world war 2 maybe Vietnam and prior) So people volunteer, and proud within them selves to fight for the country In turn I too am proud of them for what they did and do and prices paid Obviously no one wants to die and I feel sad for the ones that do and friends lost over the years yet more proud than sad. I feel sorry for the ones we fight against as they are more often than not forced as in conscription Then there is all the things that don’t reach the public eye and in some cases the brain washing soldiers get about their said enemy and the cover-ups afterwards Then the treatment these soldiers get on there return by their country (not speaking of the public here) that they where willing to pay the ultimate price for. Littleredengine - I am not here to stand up for he British government (I actually hate them with a passion and always will) but did you also know that a (single) serving British soldier in sunny Germany actually gets paid less going to war than he would if on exercise/ manoeuvres. It is cheaper to live in Bosnia than in Germany, so the overseas allowance is cut, like wise the Gulf. A married person received an allowance for being away from his partner. Shortly after new rules came out for the single soldier. However British soldiers to this day as far as I am aware get no extra money for being at war, Belgians, Germans, Australians, Americans pretty much every other country get quite a sum for going to war. I am not justifying British nor making it sound they are hard done by but just another fact most don’t know about. The Medal presented to the Soldiers of the first Gulf war by the king of Kuwait is not allowed to be worn on British uniform - It was seen as a payment and the government said that British Soldiers are not mercenaries There are many other little stories and things some may not be public knowledge but this is not the time, place or post for such topics but to have pride in the people that did give everything for what they believed in and spare a thought for them i read this....and regretted posting what i did........thanks for that.

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  back4fun

  14 years ago

  Let me start with the fact that not only did I grow up an Army brat but I am a serving member. The comments here so far have been both appreciatiative and down right provocative. Lets look passed the indescretions of war on both sides, lets look passed the lack of financial assistance that many countries do not provide their armed forces when overseas.   Lets focus on remembering their sacrifice a sacrifice that doesnt necessarily mean loss of life but includes loss of family at home, sacrifice of their hearts, body and mind, many who return are scared emotionally for life. This fact I only learned in recent years when my father told me of his time in Korea, he was expaining why he couldnt view my sister at her funeral, why it upset him so much. I will not embellish you with his story but to say my 80year old father cried in my arms with the burden he had carried all these years.   I too have served overseas and ask you all on the 25 April every year to forget your poltical views, your views on the right and wrong of war or the policy of government and simply honour those who have served their country, each and everyone pay a price, a price that is not necissarily obvious or visible.   mikeandshel - read this....and regretted posting what i did........thanks for that I dont know what you regret posting

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

  Quoting 'spankmenow' I grew up in an army family. My dad was in two wars quite some time before he met my mum in the early 60s. I can be pretty sure that he didn't fight any of those wars for freedom or liberty or the rule of law or freedom of speech. Nor did any of his mates who I met in officers' messes or the RSL. War is nasty and messy and it kills people and it maims and hurts and kills long after it has ended. Anzac Day is not a day to glorify that. It is a day for men like my dad (and women - let's not forget the women who were nurses and who have been and are on the front line) to meet with the only other people in the world who they can talk to about this stuff. Lest We Forget? Maybe. Perhaps more lest they be forgotten. Because they have been. All we have is legend and bullshit and patriotism. That's not the man I grew up with and it's not the army story I know. you right... there is nothing glorious about war... never has been, never will. Sad fact is,, war has been happening since the dawn of time.... Most people don't have an 'army story' like yourself....... for me,, ANZAC day is a day to remember, and pay homage so their story is never 'forgotten'...... a story which you suggest already has been.i WILL remember them..... as ungracious as war is!

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  RHP User

  14 years ago

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