Today is the 11th Day of the 11th month. In the USA it is Veterans Day, in Australia we called it Remembrance Day, but either way it is the same. We pay tribute to the Men & Women who served our countries in times of war or in peace. Those who may have paid the price to give us our freedoms today.
For me this day (like ANZAC Day) has a special meaning. My Grandfather fought in World War II, in both Africa & the Pacific. My father served his time in National Service & also the CMF (what is now the reserves in Australia). Without their services I wouldn’t have the life I have today. To say that my life would be different is correct (who knows what life would be like), but I always think back to what they did for their country.
The Stewart Brothers, with my Grandfather on the left. Known as Charlie to everyone, he was a member of the 2/2nd Australian Machine Gun Battalion, 9th Division AIF (Australian Imperial Force)
My Grandfather will always have a special place in my heart. He never spoke of his time in the army, but it was after his passing that I read about what he did, who he fought with. He went to Africa with the 2/2nd MG Btln, fighting at the 2nd battle if Alamein and he returned unharmed, barely. The one story that always resonates is just how easy a moment can effect your life. My grandfather was in the trenches, reading stuff from home to his buddies, his fellow soldiers. When he cramped & he changed places with someone to stretch out. Moments later that person who took his place was killed by a grenade. That could have been my grandfather, just moments changed his life.
Saving Private Ryan talks about the story of a family who loses 3 of 4 brothers in wartime & what they did to get one of them out. My grandfather went to war with 2 of his brothers, 2 to the same unit & yet they all came home alive, safe & sound. Something I am sure is extremely lucky. Would that have happened to my family had someone passed, who knows.
I do have strong ties to my Grandfathers WWII Unit Association back home and it hurts that I can’t be there to help support them on days like this, when the membership dwindles and there are only a handful of the “originals” left. It makes it harder to be seperated from Family back home. But Veterans day is a big day over here, and support for Veterans and the Military in the USA is far different to that back home in Australia.
On this Day I wish to thank all that have served and give you one final piece. You will never be forgotten.
Lest We Forget.