So I'm jumping in on Rob's blog again. He's a busy man and as much as he'd love to be a regular on this blogging thing the 'office' outside keeps him pretty tied up.
Remembrance Day, a day that we set aside in Australia to remember those who have died or suffered for our country in all wars and armed conflicts. Is it the only time you set aside to think about how lucky we are to live with the freedom that we are accustomed to in Australia?
When Anzac Day rolled around earlier in the year I had a strong urge to write down my thoughts. When my children brought me home poppies from school yesterday I thought I would share my Anzac post that never made it onto the blog.
Once again I find myself full of thought and this strong
desire to shout it from the roof tops.
Well maybe I shouldn't be quite so dramatic, maybe I'll log onto my
husband's blog and upgrade its dormant status and share my thoughts.
Anzac Day: What does
it mean for you? Do you attend the
service and remember marching practise at school when you were a little child
before the impending local Anzac service?
Do your eyes well with tears when you see the elderly seated in the
front row? Maybe your heart burst with
pride and sadness as you watch your young grandchild wear their relatives medallions
with honour. Have you raided your flower
garden for the very best flowers to lay at the foot of the memorial? Do you think of all those young people who served
their country not really sure of the reality they would be facing when they
landed on the front line and imagine you were in their shoes? What about the families they left behind,
what about the children that continue to lose their parents in the wars that
are still going on? These thoughts are
what go through my head when I think about Anzac day, when I think about the
soldiers still fighting wars, when I sit at the Anzac Day service.
How blessed am I that complete strangers feel it their duty,
to serve me, to fight for my freedom. To
allow me to have the carefree life that I share with my family.
Recently I was lucky enough to listen to a returned
soldier. An amazing person who shared
his story of his life before, during and after returning from serving Australia. To say I was blown away is an understatement.
It took all my might, as he bared his
heart and soul on stage, not to go up and put my arms around him. To take some of his sorrow and lighten the burden
that he faces every day. As he spoke
honestly about living with post traumatic stress disorder, the reality of his
and many others in his situation really touched me. We remember those who have died. But those who are left behind to pick up the
pieces and relive horror stories in their mind, day in and day out, are the
ones who really need our support. They
are heroes. They sacrifice a life of
freedom home in Australia, living the 9-5 work week and playing on the
weekend. They sacrifice a life, free of
demons in their minds, free of war torn images flashing through the night when
they close their eyes. They watch mates
die in their arms, they witness untold horror.
All so their country can be free.
In my mind they are super stars. They overshadow all the sports icons, musicians
and actors whom we all put on a pedestal.
When they arrive home though, they become an everyday person. They fit back into society and we pass these
people unknowingly in the street.
Unaware of their pain, their daily struggles and what they have faced. Only those close to them witness the effect,
notice the change and have to help rebuild around what war leaves behind. Those that are deemed unfit for service must
face a life of uncertainty. They have
spent their whole life living, breathing and training to be a soldier. Now home in the country the so strongly
fought to protect they feel out of place, like they don't belong. They must find a new job, a new way of life and
settle back into society.
While we travelled overseas we witnessed American
patriotism. Tributes overflowed as the
September 11 anniversary arrived. We
arrived at one hotel and there was a large sign with the words "Welcome
home soldiers, you are our hero." The reason this hit home for me was
because as a child when my friends and I
would yell "army cars" we would run and wave. I have always held these people on a pedestal. But as Australians when our soldiers come
home and travel through I don't see the same patriotism.
Recently at a service station 4 bus loads of soldiers
arrived and grabbed a meal, all on their
way home. But there were no signs, no
thank you banners. Everyone just passed
by them as if they were ordinary people waiting in line. But if they had been a sports hero, someone
famous or a Hollywood actor I'm sure people would have been lining up for
autographs.
Why aren't we more patriotic? Why don't we fly our flag out the front of
our houses, like they do in America? Why
aren't we saying thank you more loudly and boldly?
My children will certainly grow up with the knowledge of
what our Australian troops do for them.
We won't forget those that have been before us or those that still
continue to face the challenges that come with war.
To those that have protected my country, to those who have
given me the freedom to live a life that I choose to live, I truly am
thankful. Although you will be the
unsung heroes in my life, whom with I will never meet, I thank you.
