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VE3WBZ > VETS 27.11.09 18:53l 234 Lines 8937 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 32657_VA3BAL
Read: GUEST
Subj: RE:G4EBT's reply my posting
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Sent: 091127/1641Z @:VA3BAL.#SCON.ON.CAN.NOAM #:32657 [Ballantrae] $:32657_VA3B
From: VE3WBZ@VA3BAL.#SCON.ON.CAN.NOAM
To : VETS@WW
TO: VETS @WW
FR: VE3WBZ@VA3BAL.#SCON.ON.CAN.NOAM
DT: Friday, November 27th.,2009 @ 1010hrs JPST
<< Quoting G4EBT to VETS @WW >>
> From : G4EBT To : VETS @WW
> Type/Status : B$ Date/Time : 26-Nov 00:54
> Bid : 501641G4EBT Message # : 32523
> Title : Re: Soon they'll be gone:-(
>
> Peter, VE3WBZ wrote:-
>
>> Usually every November 11th., I post a POPPY @WW with
>> the title that befits where I am which is
>> Remembrance Day in CANADA.
>
> I try to be somewhere significant at 11am on 11/11.
>
> This year, it was Trafalgar Square in London.
Hello David, and thanks for replying to that posting...
I did remember, even while in bed, and the TV was on, for the
service in Ottawa.
> The term "vet" can be a bit misleading.
>
> It infers not simply ex-service personnel, but those
> who've fought in combat zones, such as WW2, (D-Day etc),
> Korea, the Middle East, the Falklands, Vietnam, or hacked
> their way through the jungle in Malaya or Borneo etc.
When I use the term "vet" it is short for "veterans" and
I am now saying, when I say "vet" it is for everyone who
served in their country's armed forces.
> WW2 vets are quite old now - someone aged only 21 on D-Day
> in 1944 would be 86 now, so it's true that their numbers
> are much diminished, as is their ability to take part in
> parades.
I think we have "1" WW1 vet left. Then thats it. After
that I imagine we'll have the last of the WW2 countdown,
but I hope this Remberance of WW1 and WW2 will continue
on, as we have other ex-service personel , who served
as "peace keepers" as well the latest conflicts where
instead of building the fingers are on the trigger, with
just cause.
In the USA it is called Memorial Day, and flags are placed
on graves of US Armed Forces personel. In the town I go
to they even have the rows marked as to what conflict,
the US Civil War etc ... and even the Vietnam war where
at the time returning personel were treated badly by
the public, due in part and I blame it on the Anti-War
Groups not to mentioned the high profile supporters
like Jane Fonda who dared to help the enemy by posing
on a enemy anti-aircraft gun in Hanoi.
There is not enough I can say or do for veterans. Even
the US vet's grave near here, from the 1800s , which I
made sure they tend to NOW, and it has it's US flag.
> I've been off packet since 3 Nov down in London visiting
> our elder son, his wife and our three granddaughters,
> initially till 17th, during which time we attended ceremony
> in Trafalgar Square on 11/11.
>
> But our plans changed.
>
> On Thurs 12th we all unexpectedly had to rush off to Paris
> on Eurostar for several days as our daughter in law's
> father (aged 90 and in poor health) had passed away, and
> we needed to attend his funeral.
Sorry to hear that news David. Please pass along, our
condoluences to your daughter in law's family, on the passing
of their father. I think we all know the feeling.
> I don't go to the London Cenotaph on 11/11 - it's tainted
> by politicians who use it as a photo-opportunity, this
> year as much as ever. Both the oppsition leader and
> Gordon Brown, unlected PM, have been forced to apolgise
> for this exploitation.
Very familar. Not supposed to be...but used.
Of course if they were not photographed at the service
then they are in hot water too....
> My wife and I got to Trafalgar Square on 11/11
> (where Nelson's Column is situated) at 10.00am, by which
> time thousands had gathered. Though few are behind the
> ill-conceived wars of recent years, most are solidly
> behind the forces, who've been poorly equipped and
> supported. The last straw was when the TA weren't even
> allowed to fire blanks in training due to penny-pinching.
Same here. I can remember the Unified Forces here, and
the funnist things like ships having credit cards for
fuel and ammunition. All spent shell castings were
returned to the lockers in the ship, and then turned
in like emptys for new shells for the guns. Made
me wonder what would have happened if a Canadian warship
left home without their credit card?
> Only in Britain, surely, could soldiers be not allowed to
> even fire blanks.
>
> It evokes childhood war games - "bang bang - you're dead".
Aaah yes ... well even in replicas we love firing off a gun
or ... well the broadside is the best, full load. Nowadays
well regulations and all ... but further out on the lake
and with no spectator vessels near, it was fun to have a
full load, go at it.
Not to mention, we also used tennis balls, and baseballs...but
depending on conditions and things considered.
> There's been poor support from the Gov't or MoD for stress
> counselling and re-adapting to civilian life, particularly
> for those who've been seriously wounded or lost limbs.
> (An RAF typist got more compensation for repetitive strain
> injury than soldiers who've lost limbs).
The vet I stopped on the street, with the service pistol, was
suffering. Ever since the war. His escape was drink, then
his job being threatened, and well all the drinking did his
health in and he got fired, and in the end a few weeks
retirement with benefits, and the gun...well it went back
to the Legion display case. Closed ranks, no one knew
only us.
> In the run up to the 2-mins silence at 11am in Trafalgar
> Square, notable people gave readings, including the actor,
> writer and TV personality, Stephen Fry, and Major Phil Packer.
With Prince Charles there this year in Ottawa they had some
readings too, and also timewise a few glitches as jets flew
in at the wrong time. Most of those readings were clegy
and others.
> Major Packer is an army officer of the Royal Mlilitary Police,
> aged 36, gravely injured in Iraq, who finished the London
> Marathon after taking 13 gruelling days to complete the 26
> mile course in May this year, raising #762,000 GBP towards
> his target of one million pounds towards the "Help For Heroes"
> charity.
>
> Major Packer was told he'd never walk again after the
> attack in Basra, Iraq, where he suffered a bruised heart,
> damage to his ribs and chest and the loss of the motor and
> sensory use of his legs.
>
> He began the marathon with 35,000 others on 26 April. He
> finished on 9 May where rower Sir Steve Redgrave presented
> him with his medal. An inspiration.
>
> You can see him at this link:
>
> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/paralympicsport/
> 5304281/Major-Phil-Packer-completes-London-Marathon.html
That was a real victory. Personal victorys. I seem to remember
him in the news.
> Though Stephen Fry can be hilarious, he has serious and
> thoughtful side, concerned about the plight of service
> personnel suffering from PTSD and difficulties in coping
> with stresses in combat zones and adapting to life back home.
It went on with my folks. I saw it at work, and I saw it
in the hospitals and legions.
> Clearly intent on ensuring that the remembrance ceremony
> was just that - a commemoration to reflect upon the
> sacrifices - not a celebration. The poem he chose to recite
> was a sombre one by Siegfried Sassoon from 1918 -
> Suicide in the Trenches.
I have never looked on the date as a holiday or celebration
and if there is anything to celebrate is their returning home
to family.
> As relevant today as it was back then, given the mounting
> number of suicides of service personnel. I'll put it out
> in another bull.
>
> Its not for the feint-hearted.
>
> Best wishes
> David, G4EBT @ GB7FCR
>
> Cottingham, East Yorkshire.
>
> Message timed: 19:02 on 2009-Nov-25
> Message sent using WinPack-Telnet V6.70
> (Registered).
>
> [End of Message #32523 from G4EBT]
Ex-personel, as well those serving, are under a great amount
of stress and others things leading to strange things happening
and leading to suicides etc.
It is not normal. Their work is not the way they were raised.
Thoses returning, it seems in some cases wish they hadn't.
I have seen all this in my family. I saw it at work, and had
some scary events, as I have revealed. At the Legion, almost
the same thing, and what is used as a focal point to try to
escape, I allow to slide by.
I give special considerations when dealing with Veterans or "vets"
and their familys. I think where they came from, and where
I could of been. So all allowances are considered, and I leave
it at that, and continue along, in hopes one day they find
their way out of their nightmare.
With still unfisnished business in the USA, and my best thoughts
and prayers with and for a veteran < VET > I can only await
the next window of opportunity to get down there, as now my stay
is growing in the places and people I have to see, and I think
it might be for the last time, so I have to make it good , not
only for me, but more important for them.
73 Pete VE3WBZ
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