Posted on 04/17/2008 7:05:10 PM PDT by OESY
Via Corporal Seamus, I received this email:
Gentlemen
I am an Australian and my son is an Australian - as far as we are concerned there is no 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 Afghanistan , 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 Marines are 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 little 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 is 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
And the trolls call this email a fake in 5-4-3-2-
OFR Gunny Doug
out
Posted by: OFRGunny
ping
Beautiful, isn’t it? I also got this in email and forgot to thank the sender, ntnychik thank you for a wonderful story!
And thank you OESY.
only if they're really stupid.
Great piece - from a reliable source.
got family {over there{ too - God Bless and protect them all - bring them home safe and sound...
You forgot the tissue alert! Thanks for posting...that was great!
Well, it takes character to pay another nation the kind of compliment he has, so a big thanks to our Aussie friend for doing so. It’s nice to hear a kind word for a change.
“Australia, Australia, Australia, Australia, we love you, amen.”
I have no doubt that the Aussie's would, and have done, the same for us.
After that tidal wave hit a few years ago, Australia was there first, saving lives and helping in every way. Soon after the US and Britain joined the Aussie's getting things done and making things happen, all while the UN was having innumerable meetings.
If Mr. Turner and his son tour through the South, they can bunk with us any time. I'll even buy some Vegemite and Foster's, so they feel at home!
Seriously, can you find out if/when they are going to make this tour for real?
Good one
To quote Chief Dan George: “My heart soars like the hawk”!!
To quote Chief Dan George: “My heart soars like the hawk”!!
The first was an Australian Captain who was an instructor at my Basic Officer Course. A consummate professional who carried a swagger stick that he would slap on our desks while stating, “you stupid boy” when we got targeting calculations wrong. I remember him to this day.
Fast forward several years and I'm now an Observer/Controller at a training center in the Mojave Desert, A fellow O/C, a brilliant Aussie Engineer Captain would shave his bald head in a Hummwv mirror while calling us “wankers” because we “yanks” kept trying to hide from the desert heat!
Fast forward a bunch of years, and my battalion is preparing to head for another desert: Iraq this time. At the training center in the middle of the swamps of Louisiana, an Aussie Infantry Major served as the O/C for one of my companies. Tough, competent officer, and that company needed every bit of his knowledge...it served them well in combat.
A year later, and I'm evac’d to Balad after an ambush. The medical team who prepped me to fly to Germany? You betcha: Australian.
The USA has no better ally and friend than Australia.
Regards,
Great stuff, nuff said.
Great post. Thanks.
The Brits, Americans, Canadians and Australians stick together when they have to.
It's not surprising. We're a clannish bunch.
God Bless
Aussie Bump!!!
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