Do people really remember them? I remember and honour my grandfather every year, but it seems peace will never be returned across the world. It may be worse now.
Stalker Andrew My bro was conscripted for the Vietnam war. He was in the first lotto batch as soon as he turned 18. My mother would not answer the front door for two years. His group flew out from Richmond in the dead of night! They were treated disgracefully when they returned and he was too ashamed/afraid to attend Anzac Day for 20:years . I hate war and conscription is disgusting . Normie Rowe and Doug Walters were conscripts.
I came to Australia in '71 and remember the boys in high school talking about being drafted and the relief when Whitlam stopped conscription. I now wonder if the Afghan war is our new forgotten conflict.
I vaguely remember this (song) - arriving the week of the 1972 election we had no idea what we’d ’walked into’. Aus politics/ war involvement was very different to uk. Coming from a family steeped in many years of military service for I still feel Peter Paul and Mary - Blowin’ in the Wind said it all. ‘When will they ever learn’
I had completely forgotten about Ronnie Burns. My first ex lied about his age to go to Vietnam (fool), while there he saw his brother wounded but had to stay in his own "foxhole" and not go to help, he was wounded himself and I met him soon after he arrived home. I had no idea his attitudes and nightmares were from that experience, only finding out much later, after the divorce when he finally sought help and therapy.
ANZAC day is an important one in the calendar. As for peace - we have never had real, worldwide peace at any point since man first walked the earth, and never will, so long as man cannot agree with man.
Two of P's friends were sent off to Vietnam. He said they had definitely changed when they returned and not for the better. War is so very cruel and wasteful.
When will they learn indeed...
ReplyDeleteWhen will they ever learn? When will they EVER learn? comes to mind.
ReplyDeletethecontemplative cat here. The above comment was mine. It is an unusual take on a hard subject.
DeleteI always mark ANZAC Day, to honor those kids who crossed the planet to fight a war and didn't return. Here it's tomorrow and I baked ANZAC biscuits.
ReplyDeleteDo people really remember them? I remember and honour my grandfather every year, but it seems peace will never be returned across the world. It may be worse now.
ReplyDeleteStalker
ReplyDeleteAndrew
My bro was conscripted for the Vietnam war. He was in the first lotto batch as soon as he turned 18. My mother would not answer the front door for two years. His group flew out from Richmond in the dead of night! They were treated disgracefully when they returned and he was too ashamed/afraid to attend Anzac Day for 20:years . I hate war and conscription is disgusting .
Normie Rowe and Doug Walters were conscripts.
My ex trained Normie Rowe. Taught him how to quickly strip and reassemble his rifle.
DeleteI came to Australia in '71 and remember the boys in high school talking about being drafted and the relief when Whitlam stopped conscription.
ReplyDeleteI now wonder if the Afghan war is our new forgotten conflict.
I vaguely remember this (song) - arriving the week of the 1972 election we had no idea what we’d ’walked into’. Aus politics/ war involvement was very different to uk.
ReplyDeleteComing from a family steeped in many years of military service for I still feel Peter Paul and Mary - Blowin’ in the Wind said it all. ‘When will they ever learn’
Ignorant Yank me did not know Australia even sent troops to Vietnam. I like the song.
ReplyDeleteI had completely forgotten about Ronnie Burns. My first ex lied about his age to go to Vietnam (fool), while there he saw his brother wounded but had to stay in his own "foxhole" and not go to help, he was wounded himself and I met him soon after he arrived home. I had no idea his attitudes and nightmares were from that experience, only finding out much later, after the divorce when he finally sought help and therapy.
ReplyDeleteI realised it was Anzac Day when I saw the pre-dawn military ceremonies on ABC News TV. I watched that for some time. A very poignant occasion.
ReplyDeleteANZAC day is an important one in the calendar. As for peace - we have never had real, worldwide peace at any point since man first walked the earth, and never will, so long as man cannot agree with man.
ReplyDeleteA day to remember all those people who fought all the Wars from Australia and New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteRemember that song.
Two of P's friends were sent off to Vietnam. He said they had definitely changed when they returned and not for the better. War is so very cruel and wasteful.
ReplyDeleteI improved my general knowledge ! Now I know what ANSAC day means, but I don't know the singer and the song !
ReplyDeleteMy oldest brother spent 3.5 years on an aircraft carrier off the coast.
ReplyDelete