Cynics may claim that the Australia of yesteryear is gone, that the 'fair go' has slowly disappeared from our modern society, but I am not so sure. My view of modern Australia is not so bleak. I refuse to accept that the values and ideals that the original generation of Diggers fought for have disappeared. I still see mateship and the fair go, along with that undeniable Australian spirit which refuses to yield, no matter the challenge or hardship. Many will claim that our egalitarian society is now more segregated and classed than ever before, with a popular past time being to bag the wealthy mining industry. However I see an industry that gives back to their communities, that invests in people, up-skilling and employing the disadvantaged so that they might have a steady job and the self esteem and pride that comes with that. I see people like Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest, who fights as a champion for Indigenous issues, working towards that 'fair go' for all.
If you don't believe me, and don't believe that these ideals live on today, then I suggest that you take a good hard look at our men and women fighting in Afghanistan. These men and women are everyday Aussie, indistinguishable in a crowd at the shops on the weekend when they return from deployment, yet they are doing something extraordinary. While opinion may be split here in Australia over our military role in the Middle East what we must all realise is that every day our servicemen and women get up and risk their lives. Why? Why travel half way around the world only to perish at the hands of a turncoat soldier who you thought was a friendly? While I am sure each of our brave Australian personnel have their own unique reasons for pulling on the uniform day after day with the shadow of death looming large, I would suggest to all that they are offering this struggling nation one simple thing: Hope. We forget, here in Australia, just how good we have it. So, I would suggest that today, while we struggle with our 1st World issues (such as reception drop-outs on our brand new iPhone), that we remember not only those who have worn the uniform in the past, but also those who will be pulling them on today.
Remember those who are currently waking up in Afghanistan. Remember that they are offering this nation a second chance, that it is because of them that the new generation of Afghanis may have a better life, one free of fear and despair. Most of all remember those who have given their lives in the service of this great nation, and the families that they have left behind.
God speed to all our men and women who fight under our glorious flag; may you all return to us soon. I know I speak for all Australians when I say that our thoughts and prayers are with you, today and every day. May we never forget your bravery, your sacrifice, your courage.
A small editorial if I may. Remembrance Day commemorates end of WW1 not WW2.
ReplyDeleteThank you for pointing out that typo, it has been corrected. Armistice Day (or Remembrance Day) commemorates the conclusion of hostilities between the Allies and the Central Powers on the 11th of November 1918 with the signing of the armistice. It was not until six months later, however, that WW1 would officially end. The state of war between the Allies and German ceased when the finalised peace treaty, the Treaty of Versailles, was signed at the Paris Peace Conference on the 28th of June, 1919.
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