I have to attend a funeral tomorrow of a fellow veteran and a best friend.
We visited his now widow again today and came away admiring her courage and spirit.
She is still planning the presents and hamper for the Christmas get together for the veteran association of which I am President of.
I go along to these meetings and see the condition of the 80+ vets, I am always amazed at their attitude on life when they are so seriously ill.
Two years ago, Colin asked if I could help him lay the wreath at the Cenotaph on Anzac Day, because he could not walk without help. I had never attended an Anzac Day service before, but agreed. At that time, he had been given a maximum of one month to live.
After laying the wreath and on our way back to our seats, I whispered to him, "Now youv'e messed up my holiday, I expect you'll do it again next year. Just to give me the $%^#!"
And he/we did!
So, tomorrow, please think of all those veterans out there who would like to go caravanning and all the other things we take for granted.
Already missing the $%#@# and his great sense of humour.
Dusty, it's always so sad to lose a mate but someone like this when they pass away affects a whole community and the world has lost an Icon.
The amazing thing about this type of person is not only the courage that they live with but also the courage that they have even at the end of their time here, his widow sounds like she has also got the same grit, my heart goes out to them..
Keep your chin up Mate you have our deepest Sympathy and admiration....
I'm missing a veteran as well. And by missing him I mean I can't find him. He served in Vietnam & he is my brother but I can't find him. Have had the Salvos on the job but no luck. I'd give anything to be able to attend an Anzac day with him
Hey Kandagal I am so sorry. Vietnam Vets had such a hard time and were ostracised for so long after fighting a war that people back home had no idea of the horrors and the compromises to core values of humanity that our soldiers had to confront . I really hope you find your brother. The Salvo's should know all of the various networks including the underground ones.
I do hope that one day you will meet up with your brother and all is well.
No one can possibly for see the problems that some of our veterans experience, both in the field and on returning.
I did the Malaya/Borneo conflict and two quick trips to Vietnam.
Have been assessed as normal, but when we went to the stage show "Miss Saigon" and in the last scene where they have the "Huey" helicopter getting ready to fly off. I broke out in a big sweat.
Went to the doctors the next day to talk about it.
Everything Ok now.
So, please understand that your brother may just want to "chill out" and not be reminded of anything in the past.
Yesterday, was another remindeer of how hard it was on some of the veterans. Colin was only 72 years old, for the past four years he moved and looked as if he was ninety.
Hey Kandagal I am so sorry. Vietnam Vets had such a hard time and were ostracised for so long after fighting a war that people back home had no idea of the horrors and the compromises to core values of humanity that our soldiers had to confront . I really hope you find your brother. The Salvo's should know all of the various networks including the underground ones.
You are so right Elle. If we'd known what we know now about PTSD things might have been different. When my ex had nightmares and a drinking problem he wouldnt dare complain for fear of being considered a malingerer. All the governments were in denial, possibly fearing compensation payments. A very shameful way to treat the ex-servicemen and their families.
Best wishes for finding your brother safe and well Kandagal>
-- Edited by Gerty Dancer on Tuesday 11th of October 2011 10:48:08 AM
