Early ANZAC day thanks

There was a song on an old country album I heard once called the Snowy River Men. The lyric goes,

The Snowy River Men could never march today
there's far to many of them dead for the rest to feel that way
The cold ground of Europe has been watered with their blood
a brand new legend has arose from this foreign mud

I remember and hope that there won't be any more wars.

My Grandfather's three brothers fought on the Somme in World War I. He would have gone too but was rejected because he had asthma. Uncle Warren was awarded the Military Medal for his actions. The thing that amazes me is that they all came back home OK. Not many got through that fight. Statistically every family in Australia lost someone, so what are the chances to send three and they all come home.

Don't know just how I will remember the day tomorrow. I am sure I will find a moment for reflection.

Stephen

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Originally Posted by Studley 2436

There was a song on an old country album I heard once called the Snowy River Men. The lyric goes,

The Snowy River Men could never march today
there's far to many of them dead for the rest to feel that way
The cold ground of Europe has been watered with their blood
a brand new legend has arose from this foreign mud

I remember and hope that there won't be any more wars.

My Grandfather's three brothers fought on the Somme in World War I. He would have gone too but was rejected because he had asthma. Uncle Warren was awarded the Military Medal for his actions. The thing that amazes me is that they all came back home OK. Not many got through that fight. Statistically every family in Australia lost someone, so what are the chances to send three and they all come home.

Don't know just how I will remember the day tomorrow. I am sure I will find a moment for reflection.

Stephen

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My grandfather was in the 17th Highland Light Infantry at the Somme.
Their total strength was 1032 officers and men before1/7/16.469 of them became casualties that day.
My grandfather never talked about it.Many years later he was asked why,and he said "Because I'm ashamed of what we did to the Germans."
Their orders were "That no quarter be shown and no prisoners taken." They captured the Liepzig Redoubt,then fell back past the bodies of their friends.They were one of the few battalions which actually occupied the ground taken,a somewhat hollow victory in view of the price they paid.
A moment of reflection is the least we can do for them and hopefully we can appreciate the lesson all the young men on both sides learned so painfully on our behalf.
Steve.

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Originally Posted by Iain

6.20am, I'll be there, stand on the opposite side of the street, out of sight.
After last post, ribbons off and home, RSL treated me like crap in 69 so I won't go for the follow up, stuff'em.
May meet up with some old RAAFies in town later though, see what transpires.

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Hi Iain,

I had the honour of leading the Vietnam Vets Coming home parade in canberra a few years ago on my police m/c. What a great day. Very emotional and a lot of bad feeling was washed away.

Even let my badges get souveniered by a couple of vietnamvet bikers which caused a heap of trouble later on :rolleyes: .

Since then I have served with the UN and now march with my dad and enjoy the day with lots of vets. I was amazed at the friendship and comradery that I and other youngens have been shown.

After 35years the garbage that was perpetuated by fools who thought the only war happened in 1945 are gone and the atmosphere has really changed and you would really be welcomed.

Hope the day turned out great none the less.

Regards and respect:D


Dazzler

Went to the dawn service, had a few over (ex RAAF) for a BBQ, just gone home happy and contented and my homebrew has suffered a major dent.
Unfortunately our local RSL is still governed by 90 year old stalwarts who think that no one has had it like them, I was told I 'had' to join because numbers are low and the branch may close.
Ye Gods, I just can't win, I even kept my mouth shut and didn't say a word.
It was damned cold thismorning too (probably warmer than where you are though) and I went into the branch in an attempt to be convivial but to no avail.
I am not bitter and twisted, just get a tu rd in my pocket when this starts.
May just have to go to another town with some 'younger' members.
I know I sound irrational but trust me, I am not, and I went to pay my respects for those who didn't come back from whatever conflict they were involved in, not get involved in the politics.

Iain, you are not alone Mate. I've .............................. nah! stuff the RSL.

soth

At the service at Mittagong, they apologised that there was no armed sentry. There were 20+ sailors from HMAS Albatross but they could not guarantee the security of the weapons!!
A sad state of affairs.

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Originally Posted by Carry Pine

......... There were 20+ sailors from HMAS Albatross but they could not guarantee the security of the weapons!!
A sad state of affairs.

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SAD - almost criminal I would have said. Thank you Johnny -- I really do love my country but I do loathe and have no respect for governments no matter what flavour or level which allow this sort of thing to happen.
Bob

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Originally Posted by Carry Pine

At the service at Mittagong, they apologised that there was no armed sentry. There were 20+ sailors from HMAS Albatross but they could not guarantee the security of the weapons!!
A sad state of affairs.

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Hey Carry

would you trust em with a gun if they were that far off course????

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Originally Posted by Iain

Went to the dawn service, had a few over (ex RAAF) for a BBQ, just gone home happy and contented and my homebrew has suffered a major dent.
Unfortunately our local RSL is still governed by 90 year old stalwarts who think that no one has had it like them, I was told I 'had' to join because numbers are low and the branch may close.
Ye Gods, I just can't win, I even kept my mouth shut and didn't say a word.
It was damned cold thismorning too (probably warmer than where you are though) and I went into the branch in an attempt to be convivial but to no avail.
I am not bitter and twisted, just get a tu rd in my pocket when this starts.
May just have to go to another town with some 'younger' members.
I know I sound irrational but trust me, I am not, and I went to pay my respects for those who didn't come back from whatever conflict they were involved in, not get involved in the politics.

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I didnt arrive in this country until 1973.
But.....
I am in gratitude of what any vet did, no matter what conflict.

It makes my blood boil, to hear of the way good ppl were treated when they came back..

Lest we forget..

Al :(

Hey

back in 1988 I was told a story by an old copper who witnessed a vietnam war protester who thought he had been treated poorly by a copper in canberra. This was about 1971.

Anyways he comes into the foyer of city police station to comply about the way he was spoken. Walks up to the enquiry counter which was about 5foot above the ground. Protester was wearing an army jacket with the badges removed and sown upside down with peace signs etc all over it.

Says to the connie, not long returned from service os, that he was not happy. Connie asks whats the story with the jacket to which he replies rather negatively about people who served etc.

Connie grabs him by his long hippie hair, drags him up and over the counter and begins to belt sense into him. Rips jacket off him, picks him up and throws him back over the counter and says;

"now about that complaint son?"

Now thats how to deal with it:D

dazzler