Rocky asked me to place this here for Capt Todd and others:
http://www.brigadeamerica.com/Australian.html
From an Australian whose son is in Iraq
Gentlemen
I am an Australian and my son is an Australian - as far as we are concerned there is not place on
God's earth better than Australia, and there are no people better than Australians.
That was until the past week or so.
My son is in the Australian Army and he is currently on deployment in Iraq. I can not go into his
duties in great depth, but shall we say that he and his fellow army buddies are on a glorified
guard duty looking after the Australian Embassy. They don't go out looking for "action", though it
is a different story in Afghanista n, there the Aussie troops chase the baddies over the hills
and into the valleys..
My son and I just ended a long 'phone conversation and here are some of his comments, believe me this
is what he said. We have all seen the bullshit emails written by some clown in his lounge room
pretending to be at the coal face, but this is what was said.:
"Before I came over here I thought we (the Australian Army ) were pretty shit hot..... was I ever wrong!
....The Yanks (I hope you don't mind me using that word) are so professional from the top to the bottom
that it is almost embarrassing to be in their company, and to call yourself a soldier....don't get me
wrong, we are good at what we do but the Yanks are so much better.....they are complete at what they do,
how they do it and their attitude is awesome....they don't complain they just get on with the job and
they do it right.....I carry a Minimi (SAW) so I am not real worried about a confrontation but I tell you
I feel safer just knowing that the US Army is close by....If we got into trouble I know that our boys
would come running and we could deal with it but they would probably be passed by a load of Hummers. No
questions asked, no glory sought, the Americans would just fight with us and for us because that is their
nature, to protect those in need of protection.....We use the American Mess so you could say that we are
fed by the Americans.....they have every right to be pissed at that but they don't bitch about that they
just make us feel as welcome as possible....what gets to me is that the Yanks don't walk around with a "we
are better than you attitude" and they could because they are, they treat us as equals and as brothers in
arms. If nothing else, coming here has taught me that the Americans are a truly great Nation and a truly
great bunch of people.....Let's face it they don't HAVE to be here, they could stay in America and beat
the shit out of anyone who threatened them, BUT THEY ARE HERE because they believe they should be here, and
the Iraqis would be screwed if they weren't here.....When I come home, you and I we are going to the US, we
will buy some bikes and we are going riding...."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
The reason why I am sharing this with you is because I realize that you (as a nation) must get pretty pissed
with all the criticism you receive by the so-called "know it alls" who are sitting at home - safe. The reality
is that they are safe, just as I am, because of America. If the world went arse up tomorrow there is f**k all
we (Australia) could do about it, but I know that the Americans would be there putting themselves on the line
for others. That to me is the sign of greatness.
The most precious thing in my life is my son, I look at him and I thank God that I am fortunate enough to be able
to spend time in his company. We laugh, we discuss, we argue, we dummy spit, we have the same blood. I am not
happy that he i s where he is but that is his duty. He joined the Army to protect and to defend, not to play games.
I mightn't like it but I accept it. My reasons for not liking it are selfish and self centered. I felt assured that
he would be safe because he is in a well trained army with an excellent record, BUT NOW, I feel a whole lot better
knowing that he is with your sons, daughters, brothers and sisters.
Whilst he was growing up. I was always there to look after him, I would not let harm befall him and I would always
put myself before him to protect him. I can't do that now. When it comes to looking after him now he and his mates
will do the job, but also THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.
Gentlemen, I have rambled on for too long. but as I finish I say to you, as a foreigner and outsider, a nation is
only a collection of its people and its attitude is the attitude of its people, collectively and as individuals. I am
really glad you are here on this Earth and I respect you as a nation and as people.
Stand up and feel proud because you deserve it, there is no one else who will do what America does without question.
The next time someone howls you down, take some comfort in the fact that America is defending their right to act like
an idiot.
Finally, thank you for looking after my son.
Peter Turner
Proud Daughter of Walter (Monday) Poniedzialek
540th Engineer Combat Regiment, 2833rd Bn, H&S Co, 4th Platoon
There's "No Bridge Too Far"
!