Let them go and die. Flying the "rising flag of Islam" is offensive at its core. They want to end your free lives, convert you, or remove you from the gene pool. The more of them that die the better. More the better over seas.

Good evening to you FOXY & HASBEEN...

Dear FOXY, that was probably one of the most chilling links you've ever managed to tease out of the thousands of media points you've uncovered ?

To see armed young men from the suburbs of Sydney, happily posing with Ak47's strapped across their chest, gives me pause from my Vietnam days, 45 years ago. I thought I left all that stuff behind ? And to think they'll return to Oz, believing they're seasoned warriors, both frightens, and absolutely chills me to the bone.

I attended the VVCS (Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service) for nearly five years to help me shed some of those horrible memories and scenes from my buggered mind. Yet me, my Regiment, we're all sent over there by our Government, our Country, essentially with the blessing of all our people (not quite all).

And upon our repatriation back home, that's when it all seemed to hit the fan. For some (myself included) to a lesser degree. For many others though, they came home to a ruined life, a disastrous marriage, lost careers, and estranged friendships.

Moreover, many of us without even knowing it, suffered from PTSD. And that's what accounted for the mood swings, explosive tempers, the melancholy, the 'startle' syndrome, and many other symptoms that would at best, worry your mates, at worst they considered you're mad ?

Essentially, because what these young blokes have done is UNLAWFUL, there'll be NO SUPPORT for them from the government, NONE. There will be NO access to the VVCS for them to attend and blow off steam, NO RSL, NO Repatriation Department, NO Veterans' Affairs, NO honour on ANZAC DAY, NO Gongs representing a big 'thank you' from our Nation; NO Military pension, NO Veterans 'Hotline' when the nightmares become too much.........Bugger all !

These stupid, idealistic young bastards, have no conception what war means, or the effect war has on you for the rest of your days. Worse, as they age...sorry. IF they age, there'll be NO honours, NOR glory for these people, only denunciation and censure at best ?

F.O.I. o sung wu. ex. 1Ra. 2-2alpha 173D(Sep) 65/66.

o sung wu,
I understand you angst only too well. I realized I had a problem that wasn't going to go away by itself and a uniform (and a gun) and orders seemed the right patch for me. The army wouldn't take me back, they had no more wars then so I joined the NSWPF and because of my military rank and training (experience) took only 12 months to be out of uniform and into the squads as a sgt.
Now retired I fill in my time running a Men's Shed and working as a Pensions and Welfare Officer at my local RSL. I see the PTSD out of Iraq and Afghanistan every week and it gets worse.
These idiots playing soldiers will come back as heroes to their street gangs and society will get a new wave of terror.

Jayb,

Thanks for the info on the convention.

So, it appears we are far too generous and forgiving in the way we apply it.

Hi there JAYB...

You were with Alpha Coy 1 RAR first tour (1965/66) ? From memory you were at FSB Coral with 3 RAR ? Something I do remember, when you had your welcome home parade in George Street, some very silly deluded young girl, threw red paint over your CO, Col. Preece, during the march. What a shameful act, denigrating a senior Officer !

There's little doubt, we copped heaps on our return. I realise I'm well off Topic, anyway I hope you've been travelling OK subsequent to your return...nearly fifty years ago now ? Wow ! Speak with you again soon, I hope ?

G'day there CHRISGAFF1000...

I suspect these fellows will never learn eh ? Mine is not so dissimilar a story I guess. Missed the uniform, being told what to do and when to do it, and being back in a disciplined organisation, did wonders for my many mood swings, and bouts of that annoying 'black dog', which still persists even to this day ? Otherwise Chris, I don't know what would've become of me. Probably I'd be wearing green, instead of blue, who knows ? Another thing, I could drink gallons of Millers faster than they could brew it ! After marching out of the Redfern Barracks, I swore I'd never touch another drop. And I haven't, ever.

Also Chris, with some of the many negative issues we've all had to contend with, in the job. I'll NOT idly standby and allow some presumptuous sloth to run the job or it's members down, without at least a tolerable riposte in kind.

I, as well as many others, copped enough of that 'stuff' in the late sixties. I'll not accommodate such unfounded, unverified spreading of rumours, together with other scurrilous 'pap', now that I'm in my seventies. Thanks mate, and keep your powder dry.