Today is Remembrence day Australians remember those who have died in war.
In 1918 the armistice that ended World War I came into force, bringing to an end four years of hostilities that saw 61 919 Australians die at sea, in the air, and on foreign soil. Few Australian families were left untouched by the events of World War I - 'the war to end all wars' most had lost a father, son, daughter, brother, sister or friend.
At 11am on 11 November we pause to remember the sacrifice of those men and women who have died or suffered in wars and conflicts and all those who have served during the past 100 years.
Remembrance Day index page
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I was at the local service today and found an old school mate there with his teenage kids. After talking to him I discovered that as late as this year, he found out that his great, great uncle was one of the soldiers killed in France in WW1. He also found out that his Grand Father was injured in France and brought home and died in a mental institution from suicide due to "shell shock" now PTSD . His family kept all references to his relatives war service secret as they believed that coming back from the war with no visible signs of injury was something to be ashamed of.
It's such a travesty that the thinking back then was so different to what it is now. The idea that you're less a man because you can't mentally handle the things that happen at war, seeing the killing or doing the killing.
War is a horrible thing that must be avoided at all costs, BUT, sometimes you have to do things to protect your way of life, your freedom and sometimes you and your families life so we go to war and don't consider the consequences until later, sometimes much later and in some cases to the detriment of your own life.
I suffer from PTSD due to nine years of doing Road Accident Rescue work. I saw some horrific things, some badly mutilated bodies and even some very close friends killed due to someone else's stupidity.
What I have been through through pales into insignificance compared to those who fought in different wars in far off lands and to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
To all you people who went to war for your country, for what you believe in, for freedom, I offer a huge thank you and gratitude that I will never be able to repay. To those who never returned, we will never forget your sacrifice, not just in WW1, but for all wars and conflicts.
To all those who are in war zones at the moment, I for one support you in your effort. no matter what your political view or idea of "should we be there", they are there and must be supported. The servicemen and women who returned from WW1, WW2 were hero's, but those who went to Vietnam were treated like lepers. I personally know of 2 ex Vietnam diggers who took their own lives due to PTSD and the way they were treated when they returned.
Let's not have another episode like that.
Lest we forget
In 1918 the armistice that ended World War I came into force, bringing to an end four years of hostilities that saw 61 919 Australians die at sea, in the air, and on foreign soil. Few Australian families were left untouched by the events of World War I - 'the war to end all wars' most had lost a father, son, daughter, brother, sister or friend.
At 11am on 11 November we pause to remember the sacrifice of those men and women who have died or suffered in wars and conflicts and all those who have served during the past 100 years.
Remembrance Day index page
================================================== =======
I was at the local service today and found an old school mate there with his teenage kids. After talking to him I discovered that as late as this year, he found out that his great, great uncle was one of the soldiers killed in France in WW1. He also found out that his Grand Father was injured in France and brought home and died in a mental institution from suicide due to "shell shock" now PTSD . His family kept all references to his relatives war service secret as they believed that coming back from the war with no visible signs of injury was something to be ashamed of.
It's such a travesty that the thinking back then was so different to what it is now. The idea that you're less a man because you can't mentally handle the things that happen at war, seeing the killing or doing the killing.
War is a horrible thing that must be avoided at all costs, BUT, sometimes you have to do things to protect your way of life, your freedom and sometimes you and your families life so we go to war and don't consider the consequences until later, sometimes much later and in some cases to the detriment of your own life.
I suffer from PTSD due to nine years of doing Road Accident Rescue work. I saw some horrific things, some badly mutilated bodies and even some very close friends killed due to someone else's stupidity.
What I have been through through pales into insignificance compared to those who fought in different wars in far off lands and to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
To all you people who went to war for your country, for what you believe in, for freedom, I offer a huge thank you and gratitude that I will never be able to repay. To those who never returned, we will never forget your sacrifice, not just in WW1, but for all wars and conflicts.
To all those who are in war zones at the moment, I for one support you in your effort. no matter what your political view or idea of "should we be there", they are there and must be supported. The servicemen and women who returned from WW1, WW2 were hero's, but those who went to Vietnam were treated like lepers. I personally know of 2 ex Vietnam diggers who took their own lives due to PTSD and the way they were treated when they returned.
Let's not have another episode like that.
Lest we forget
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