Dearest Foy,

I'll repeat: "As long as we keep the memories alive of that wonderful generation, she'll never be anything but a taxpayer-funded blow-fly."

And a pig-ignorant one at that :)

Love always,

Joe

"As long as we keep the memories alive of that wonderful generation,.."

They were put through a lot.

Around ANZAC Day, before and after, I visited the graves of loved ones who went through it all. It is an annual routine that is getting a bit big now. What truly wonderful models of lives of community service they present.

So many stark differences between their uncomplaining service and the whining self-entitlement of the passing parade of celebrity commentators in the 'meeja', especially on the ABC. The ABC should be ashamed of itself and be required to earn its keep henceforth.

Dear Joe,

It is up to us whether we keep those memories alive or
not. The young lady was merely making the point that
we should be reminded that others are also suffering
today, as a result of war. Admittedly, she chose an
inappropriate time (ANZAC) day to make her point.
However, she does not deserve the over the top abuse
that she's getting.

Still -

Not all girls (women) are made of sugar and spice and
everything nice.

And not all boys (men) are made of snips and snails
and puppy-dog tails
Some are made of bushes and thorns and old cow's horns
lies and leers and crocodile tears
slippers that flop and bald-headed tops...

It takes all kinds.

Dearest Foxy,

Quite rightly, most of us would have ripped into Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, for his stupid remarks about the Holocaust, making light of most of the most evil tragedies in history.

On a much slighter and more ditzy level, that silly girl impugned the sacrifices of so many young people, with her comparison to the tribulations of illegal immigrants on Manus and Nauru.

No, she's not ditzy or silly, I take that back: she knows what she is doing and saying, on behalf of Hizb-ut-Tarir, an Islamist terrorist group. Next, they'll put up a beautifully-dressed, neatly-bearded, very softly-spoken and polite, imam to circuitously reinforce her message in support of Shari'a. Let's not kid ourselves.

Joe

Lest WE Forget...the many suffering from what they saw, what they were ordered to do and what they couldn't do to save another's life in the course of serving their country...and what their country is neglecting to do for them post ADF service.

I remember the young Craftsman at 1CSSB in late 2006 who was preparing to go away to the "Sandpit". I was working there as a civilian contractor. Let's call this bloke 'Bill' for the sake of the story. Bill was a man of 36 yrs, from country NSW, with life experiences gained before entering the Army. Considered by his peers and superiors as a well balanced and skilled soldier in all respects. From what I saw, he should at that age have been a Corporal or Sergeant.

Remaining at the unit during the 9 or so months he was away on deployment, I saw a vastly changed person upon his return in 2007. Lots of heavy drinking, behaviour being exhibited indicating that inside, it was not the same bloke who left Australia 9 months prior.

One morning I managed to get him to spill the beans...so to speak. Whilst clearing a village he and his section had gone around to the back of a hut to find an adult male sexually abusing a young boy. Suffice to say, 'Bill' was forcibly removed from the adult's neck by the remainder of his section, at the point of his officers rifle muzzle.

The Army had not even "debriefed" him or his section upon their return to base or even when back in Australia. Self medication by Johnnie Walker & Co.

Mizz Magied, her ABC minders, the Wimmins Industry, the Emily's (B)Listers - who like so many on the gravy train of taxpayer funded crusades and other agenda's would do well to keep this kind of abuse of former servicemen & women in mind.

As I have said before, "We have not yet visited the depths of the pain to be experienced by our collective indifference to the plight of those who have served and still suffer."

Albie Manton in Darwin,

As you remind us and be aware and comforted there is no need, on ANZAC Day we remember all who have served, are serving and their families and loved ones.

Whereas entitlements and treatment have been generally of a better standard than elsewhere in the world, federal governments have been slow and parsimonious especially where younger veterans are concerned.

I thought that the VVCS for example was a great idea and an innovation that should have been extended as a separate service, to all men. Boys and young men need appropriate modelling, a hand on the shoulder and support. They need counselling options.

The Australian public is aware that despite the best will in the world, nothing can replace the years and lives (and love) lost, but we continue to do our best, with gratitude and I hope great compassion.

Lest we forget.