From the daughter of a Soldier.

[bennylaird]

An email I just received....................

Last week I was in Melbourne attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their uniforms, as they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering.

When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded Australian who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families.

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal.

Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers.

He knelt down and said "hi," the little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her.

The young soldier didn’t look any older than maybe 22, himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up.

When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you."

He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "Your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon."

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom.

I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded.

As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own.

That young soldier in one last act of moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices.

At the end of the day, it's good to be an Australian.


RED FRIDAYS

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Australian's who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Australian's, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Australia supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every Australian who supports our men and women afar will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Australia on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football team.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before Australians covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is..."We need your support and your prayers". Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear something red every Friday.

[bitingmidge]

No, it didn't come in an email to me, it's just that I hate the way this stuff grows and grows and grows..........

If someone is going to rip off a schmaltzy story, at least they should have the good grace to rip it off without changing it, or attribute it to the original author, Helen Demidenko.

No offence Benny, there's nothing essentially wrong with the sentiment, just that despite the words, it didn't strike me as being too "Australian", and I was right!

THANKFULLY THE LAST FEW LINES WERE OMITTED in your qoute though!

Cheers,

P

This came to me in an email. I intend to do it.

Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was
in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me
beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed
one of the greatest act's of patriotism I have ever seen.

Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as
they began heading to their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was
abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw
the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for it
hit me, I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded American who still
loves this country and supports our troops and their families .

Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young
unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us sowe can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I
thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men
and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of
the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl then
she asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young
soldier, he didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would
try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Then suddenly the little
girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she
could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.

The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney,
told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in
Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter,
Courtney, missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When
this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of
the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other
servicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started
playing with the device and talking back and forth on it.

After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to
Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he
told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he
had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying
"your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and
he is coming home very soon."

The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young
soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was
standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event unfolded. As
the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed
their applause. As I stood there applauding and ! looked around, their
were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last
act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a
tear rolling down cheek.

We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and
thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's
good to be an American

Red Friday
Just keeping you "in the loop" so you'll know what's going on in case
this takes off.

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing
Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to
be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are
voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.
We are not organized, bois terous or over-bearing. We get no liberal
media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to
recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity
and respect starts this Friday (July 21) -and continues each and every Friday
until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.
Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear
something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV-let's make the United States on every Friday
a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.

If every one of us who loves this country will share this with
acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long
before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the
once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more
than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things
better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers.

Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and
wear something red every Friday.

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE,
ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.

THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO
BECOME ONE NATION, UNDER GOD.

[silentC]

"Mom" was a dead giveaway. And all the talk about God.

these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal

[bennylaird]

Bugger, sent to me by a sailor as well, blatant rip off if every I saw one.

Here's the bit I didnt copy as well.


IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON

IF YOU COULD NOT CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON. IT IS YOUR CHOICE.

THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! ---

Lest We Forget, Lest We Forget.


HAVE A GREAT DAY!

[Termite]

Well regardless of where it originated, it's not a bad idea. It's certainly better than the one that was in fashion about 40 years ago.
2122255

[sidon55]

So it was a rip off, but the sentiment applies equally here in Australia. At least the lads and lasses are getting support whether you agree they shopuld be there or not, unlike our Viet Nma vets.

[silentC]

I suppose the point is that our armed services people are doing a job that they are paid to do. They get my support but not my sympathy. I don't mean that to sound harsh, what I mean is that I don't feel sorry for them - they are there because they chose that career. It must be hard to be away from family and friends but other professions suffer from the same isolation.

I imagine there would be people there who just view it as a job and take it all on board. Others probably get right off on it. Then there would be the ones who wonder what the #### they are doing there and why Australia has to be involved in it at all.

We certainly shouldn't criticise them. If anyone is criticised, it should be the government that sent them there. I don't go in for all that emotional clap trap though. As I said, they chose that career and so they have to take the good with the bad.

Now conscription is a different story, but let's not go there...

[Clinton1]

WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.
THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO BECOME ONE NATION, UNDER GOD

Those Americans get a bit stirred up don't they?

[Daddles]

The thing we need to be careful about is adopting american militarism. The seppos hold violence as a great virtue and that is different to Australian standards of the past. We've always been in the forefront when it came to defending others and have always fought well and as a nation when required. The recent moves to invading others other countries for 'regime change' and other spurious excuses, the ready acceptance of military action to solve problems is something that is coming in from america (and they aren't the only ones who work that way, they cop a mention because that's where we're learning it from).

The courage and ability of our fighting forces is something all Australians can be proud of. We have a long reputation for efficiency and for being able to work with the local people. I personally am very proud of our armed forces, how they've conducted themselves and what they've achieved. That pride is being reinforced by our work in Iraq.

However, there is always the political side of it. There is much in recent politics that I take no pride in and much that I find abhorent. Those feelings do not transfer to our forces who are following the orders of the politicians.

While the sentiments expressed in Bennylaird's post have a nice foundation, I feel they come too close to lauding the use of violence, to promoting violence as a way of solving problems. The seppos can keep their militarism, it's not needed in Australia and this Australian doesn't want it.

Richard
a pacifist who loves reading about our fighting forces, who is proud of our fighting forces and who thinks many of the weapons of war are really neat

[silentC]

a pacifist who loves reading about our fighting forces, who is proud of our fighting forces and who thinks many of the weapons of war are really neat

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with WWII. In particular, fighter aircraft, specifically the Spitfire. I was a Spitfire nut. I had a heap of war comics that had belonged to my Uncle and that was about all I ever read. I loved war movies and anything that had footage of a Spitfire in it sent my pulse racing. I had models of them hanging from my bedroom ceiling and I used to draw pictures of them. I still like the look of them and go to the War Memorial whenever in Canberra to have a look at theirs. Yet the thought of climbing into the cockpit of one and taking on some of Herman Goering's finest scares the pants off me.

[Daddles]

It's a shame that some really beautiful and effective machines have to be used to destroy and kill. The irony being, of course, that without that potential use, those machines wouldn't be there in the first place. I can still remember the first day I saw an F111. I loved my time with the SLR. The FA18 still sends shivers down my spine, especially when I remember the airshow where it flew rings around the small, dainty and gorgeous but aged Mirage.

And fear? I've often read that you can tell the insane ones in a war zone - they're the ones who aren't scared Thank goodness I never had to do it for real and for those of you who did, you have my respect.

Richard

[Wongo]

Support our troops so we all have oil to run a bloody big car.

[meerkat]

Lets not forget that we shouldn't confuse politics the military.

Lets not forget that its the failure of our polititians and diplomats that lead us into war.

Lets not forget that it's the radicals of this world (whoever they may be) that incite the ongoing hatred and fear that lead the other more balanced people into conflict.

Lets not forget that it's the polititians that try to hide our vets when they return and not recognise them for what they did. What did they do ? What the polititians told them to do.

Those who feel strongly enough that protecting our way of life with their life should be supported regardless of the political decisions being made.

There are most probably quite a lot of diggers around that would rather not be where they are today. Give them the support and credit for standing up and saying I'm sticking this out.

We shouldn't be painting them with the same brush the others are painted with.

Also lets not forget those who are risking and have given their lives helping others in peacetime etc as well. The Sea King in Indonesia, Peacekeepers (military and civilian) all around the world of whatever persuasion and countless others.

[Paul H]

My office is near the RSL "ANZAC" club in Perth city. When I go out at lunchtime, if I see any diggers heading in there I make a point of going up to them, shaking their hand and saying thanks. It shouldn't only happen once a year. We owe the ex- and current service men a lot and should let them know we are grateful.

[bennylaird]

When I was a kid, I was obsessed with WWII. In particular, fighter aircraft, specifically the Spitfire. I was a Spitfire nut.

And rightly so, forget the mission and admire the flying machine.