Have a read of this. Proud to be an Aussie.

[BJ]

FROM THE DAUGHTER OF A SOLDIER.

Last week I was in Melbourne attending a conference. While I was in the
airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest
acts of patriotism I have ever seen. Moving through the terminal was a
group of soldiers in their uniforms, as they began heading to their gate
everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands
waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them,
being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the
only red blooded Australian who still loves this country and supports our
troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work, and enjoy our home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men, a women and a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He knelt down and said "hi," the little
girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself said he
would try and what did she want to give to her daddy. Suddenly the little
girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could
muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl,
who said her daughters name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her
husband was a Corporal and had been in Afghanistan for 11 months now. As
the mum was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father,
the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mum was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the otherservicemen pulled out a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you." He then hugged this little girl that he had just met
and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying "Your daddy told
me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home
very soon." The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as
the young soldier stood to his feet he saluted Courtney and her mum. I was standing no more than 6 feet away as this entire event unfolded.
As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed
their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were
very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of
moment turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down
his cheek. We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families
and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's
good to be an Australian.

RED FRIDAYS
Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday.
The reason? Australian's who support our troops used to be called the
"silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for
God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organised,
boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Australian's, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognise that the vast majority of Australia supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday - and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every Australian who supports our men and women afar will wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Australian every Friday a
sea of red much like a homecoming football team. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends,
and family, it will not be long before Australia is covered in RED and it will
let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more
than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.
The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things
better for you?" is..."We need your support and your prayers". Let's get
the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear
something red every Friday.

THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- Lest we Forget,
Lest we Forget.

[honer]

Mom ? Australian ?

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by honer

Mom ? Australian ?

Knew it was too good to be true. But American literature or not - i'll support our troops.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by honer

Mom ? Australian ?

Ask any young Australian what the last letter of the alphabet is. The answer will be ZEE not ZED.

Television rules....word...dude.....

[4.9 EF Futura]

Originally Posted by flappist

Ask any young Australian what the last letter of the alphabet is. The answer will be ZEE not ZED.

Pure semantics. If you understand what abovementioned australian means... why take issue with it?

The pronunciation of the last letter of the alphabet... a threat to our sovereignty does not make.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by 4.9 EF Futura

Pure semantics. If you understand what abovementioned australian means... why take issue with it?

The pronunciation of the last letter of the alphabet... a threat to our sovereignty does not make.

Do you actually read this stuff before replying?

The original poster stated that this event happened in Melbourne. You questioned whether it was actually Australian or "adapted" my your "mom Australian" reply.

I replied indirectly that there has been a noticable americanisation of Australia over the last thirty or so years that is commonly shown by younger people, that is those under 35, using the american version of spelling or pronounciation rather than the traditional Australian. This is demonstrated commonly by pronouncing ZEE instead of ZED.

So therefore the spelling of "mom" instead of "mum" to many young Australians is inconcequential.

You then question my reply and in doing so contradict yourself.

If you were not, infact, infering that then what was your post about? A spelling mistake? Or did it have no purpose whatsoever.

If so then I withdraw my comments as there is nothing to comment on.

But then again it might just be fake eh.....

http://www.snopes.com/glurge/daughter.asp

[MickyB]

Originally Posted by flappist

Ask any young Australian what the last letter of the alphabet is. The answer will be ZEE not ZED.

Television rules....word...dude.....

Not if we watched Play School!

[Walkinshaw]

Originally Posted by flappist

Ask any young Australian what the last letter of the alphabet is. The answer will be ZEE not ZED.

Television rules....word...dude.....

I'm young, as are the majority of my aquaintances, and I'd be hard pressed to find somone who says Zee......

[GreenMachine]

Yeah, that was my thought too honer...

[Twisted]

As an ex soldier in the Signals Corps I can totally confirm that there is no way that he could have spoken to her dad but it is a nice story ;)

[MickyB]

It would be nice to believe, but it reads like a script from the Young and Restless or something.
That being said, I too am proud to be an Aussie

[merlin]

I just can't imagine Australians behaving in that way (clappign soldiers walking through an airport - sounds very American). Then again as already said it would be great if it was true.

[[Tonko]]

where was that copied and pasted from?
seems too brady bunch for me, i show my patriotism in my own ways, flag in my room, and i drive an aussie car, (with a yank engine)

[gozza]

Im rpud to be an Australian too...but i don't get applauded for doing my job

[GCFordChic]

Originally Posted by gozza

Im rpud to be an Australian too...but i don't get applauded for doing my job

Thats a selfish thing to say. You havent stated what your job is, so perhaps it too deserves 'applause', but you are devaluing the contribution of those who are in the Armed Forces. Are you truly equating your job to those of active servicemen who seriously put their life on the line every day? :

As the younger sister of a RAN Officer, i can only wish the general community supported the men and women in the military, whether they support the conflicts/missions they are involved in or not.

[JC]

Originally Posted by GCFordChic

Thats a selfish thing to say. You havent stated what your job is, so perhaps it too deserves 'applause', but you are devaluing the contribution of those who are in the Armed Forces. Are you truly equating your job to those of active servicemen who seriously put their life on the line every day? :

As the younger sister of a RAN Officer, i can only wish the general community supported the men and women in the military, whether they support the conflicts/missions they are involved in or not.

Why is anything the armed forces do of value? It's not really, in fact it is probably the least value adding career/job in our economy. They suck billions to "protect" Australia by supporting USA in the middle east etc. The stuff they do closer to home (East Timor, PNG, Fiji etc) is at least close enough to be called protection, or at least keeping the peace in our region. And most of those in the military are not there because they are patriotic, they are there because it's a job or career they chose. It's not like plumbers love 5 h ! t, they just get paid a lot to install/fix toilets and pipes.

[GCFordChic]

Originally Posted by JC

Why is anything the armed forces do of value? It's not really, in fact it is probably the least value adding career/job in our economy. They suck billions to "protect" Australia by supporting USA in the middle east etc. The stuff they do closer to home (East Timor, PNG, Fiji etc) is at least close enough to be called protection, or at least keeping the peace in our region. And most of those in the military are not there because they are patriotic, they are there because it's a job or career they chose. It's not like plumbers love 5 h ! t, they just get paid a lot to install/fix toilets and pipes.

The least value adding job in our economy?!?! :

Perhaps ill just let this ridiculously pigheaded, uninformed opinion fly past and not bother wasting my time.


THIS attitude is just what is needed to make Australia a better place! Oh Australians all let us rejoice!

[Psycho Chicken]

Originally Posted by JC

Why is anything the armed forces do of value? It's not really, in fact it is probably the least value adding career/job in our economy. They suck billions to "protect" Australia by supporting USA in the middle east etc. The stuff they do closer to home (East Timor, PNG, Fiji etc) is at least close enough to be called protection, or at least keeping the peace in our region. And most of those in the military are not there because they are patriotic, they are there because it's a job or career they chose. It's not like plumbers love 5 h ! t, they just get paid a lot to install/fix toilets and pipes.

Absolutely stunned. I don't even know where to begin.

[XRated]

Originally Posted by Psycho Chicken

Absolutely stunned. I don't even know where to begin.

Roger that.


Going on another note; I also find it baffling how people disrespect this country (littering, taking advantage of the government, courtesy towards others etc) and have little respect for fellow Australians, then emphasise that they are patriots. There is little respect in this country left - particularly with "generation Y" (yep, my generation... It drives me insane).

I'm tired and my above point is probably a little unclear so I won't go on.

[BJ]

Originally Posted by JC

Why is anything the armed forces do of value? It's not really, in fact it is probably the least value adding career/job in our economy. They suck billions to "protect" Australia by supporting USA in the middle east etc. The stuff they do closer to home (East Timor, PNG, Fiji etc) is at least close enough to be called protection, or at least keeping the peace in our region. And most of those in the military are not there because they are patriotic, they are there because it's a job or career they chose. It's not like plumbers love 5 h ! t, they just get paid a lot to install/fix toilets and pipes.

Right you little knob jocky. Listen to me. I take it you think the country you live in is for you and you only is it'. I"ll tell you what I will tell my uncle who fought in the second world war ( behind enemy line ) my god father who also fought in the ww2 and Korea plus Borneo and Malaya and my Navy father in-law who is a bloody Vietnam vet as well as Borneo, Korea and Malya that what they did was for nothing shell i. Don't ever come near me sport because i will show you just how bloody much i love this country of mine. You mate don't belong here. It is the likes of you that make my skin crall you are the fist to winge that we dont do enough and then throw it back in the face's of those that do. I guess you would rather be talking German or perhaps Japanese would you. Bj Born in OZ and bloody proud to be one.

[Redrum]

Originally Posted by JC

Why is anything the armed forces do of value? It's not really, in fact it is probably the least value adding career/job in our economy. They suck billions to "protect" Australia by supporting USA in the middle east etc. The stuff they do closer to home (East Timor, PNG, Fiji etc) is at least close enough to be called protection, or at least keeping the peace in our region. And most of those in the military are not there because they are patriotic, they are there because it's a job or career they chose. It's not like plumbers love 5 h ! t, they just get paid a lot to install/fix toilets and pipes.

What an ignorant view of the military and life in general. I tell you what mate. I serve as a member of Victoria Police, not just for a job, but because I want to believe I can make some sort of difference and help other people. I sure as hell don't work soley for the money because it is not worth it!! Soldiers too, are professionals and their pay also stinks.

I suggest you speak to some diggers, some veterans, maybe attend an Anzac day service, sit there when they play the last post, have a think about what a lot of young men and women did, putting their lives on the line, so you can live in the free society you do today!

[Sourbastard]

"fighting for god and country"... I love a good crusade, its been centuries since the last one..... and I've nothing to wear for the event!

[merlin]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

I love a good crusade, its been centuries since the last one..... and I've nothing to wear for the event!

I picked you out an outfit, so get crusading.

[fordfuntastic]

? WTF. Is this a dirty bomb or a smart one? Looks to me as both being DIRTY!

[uranium_death]

I think it's pathetic that we need some statement such as this to feel anything.

Everyday I see people throw garbage, break laws and show contempt for their fellow man while inside they assure themselves that they are Australian.

I was in Perth on Australia Day this year and I saw TOO MANY young dickheads and young stupid naive young tarts shouting "Aussie Aussie Aussie" while drinking in public, then throwing their bottles and garbage everywhere as well as annoying everybody around them.

To love your country doesn't require you to shout out loud, to go to war or to compare yourself with others.

To love your country is to respect fellow man, care for the environment (flora and fauna!), be honest and help others.

I wish Australians were proud about their flag, as well as the meaning of the National Anthem (too many DO NOT know the words!) and celebrate how their lives are better for it.

Australia is the greatest country on Earth. But we don't appreciate it.

[Ghiadude]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

I think it's pathetic that we need some statement such as this to feel anything.

Everyday I see people throw garbage, break laws and show contempt for their fellow man while inside they assure themselves that they are Australian.

I was in Perth on Australia Day this year and I saw TOO MANY young dickheads and young stupid naive young tarts shouting "Aussie Aussie Aussie" while drinking in public, then throwing their bottles and garbage everywhere as well as annoying everybody around them.

To love your country doesn't require you to shout out loud, to go to war or to compare yourself with others.

To love your country is to respect fellow man, care for the environment (flora and fauna!), be honest and help others.

I wish Australians were proud about their flag, as well as the meaning of the National Anthem (too many DO NOT know the words!) and celebrate how their lives are better for it.

Australia is the greatest country on Earth. But we don't appreciate it.

Well said.

[GCFordChic]

Originally Posted by uranium_death

To love your country doesn't require you to shout out loud, to go to war or to compare yourself with others.

But the contribution of those that do should not be devalued by saying someone who loves Australia doesnt have to. You lump it in with shouting and acting like a yobbo(as in your example). (Comparing to others) Sure, there is no need to say 'Who loves Australia more? I Do!!!' but what is wrong with comparing the contribution of people to what makes this country great?

Originally Posted by uranium_death

Australia is the greatest country on Earth. But we don't appreciate it.

I do and dont agree with you there. I believe that there are many many reasons that it seems the majority dont appreciate it, but if i were to actually say them, i would be labelled 'politically incorrect' so i will let that pass.
I truly appreciate Australia, probably more so because i wasnt born here, yet i have been afforded the privilage and honour of becoming a citizen. I am an Australian, I am damn proud to be, thats why i am troubled with the way we are heading (a whole other issue for another thread...).

What is wrong with showing some appreciation for fellow Australians who are willing to put their lives on the line for you? Thats what i thought this thread was about.

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by GCFordChic

But the contribution of those that do should not be devalued by saying someone who loves Australia doesnt have to. You lump it in with shouting and acting like a yobbo(as in your example). (Comparing to others) Sure, there is no need to say 'Who loves Australia more? I Do!!!' but what is wrong with comparing the contribution of people to what makes this country great?



I do and dont agree with you there. I believe that there are many many reasons that it seems the majority dont appreciate it, but if i were to actually say them, i would be labelled 'politically incorrect' so i will let that pass.
I truly appreciate Australia, probably more so because i wasnt born here, yet i have been afforded the privilage and honour of becoming a citizen. I am an Australian, I am damn proud to be, thats why i am troubled with the way we are heading (a whole other issue for another thread...).

What is wrong with showing some appreciation for fellow Australians who are willing to put their lives on the line for you? Thats what i thought this thread was about.

When I say "we", I don't mean every single individual.

I admit that I too often forget how lucky I am as I grew up here.

My parents on the other hand come from the Ukraine, which after WWII was a torn apart pile of junk.

A good reflection is that when my Mum used to live in Tasmania, once a month she got a block of chocolate and an orange.

When she moved to Melbourne and went to Queen Victoria Market and saw all the fruit, she didn't understand. She never saw an orange as a common piece of food. Now she appreciates every orange she eats.

But I think patriotism in Australia is poor.

[thefargo]

one of my prefered quotes:" nobody wants to see soldiers at the door, unless there's enemies at the gate"

[Kryton]

the use of the word 'Patriotism' is what made me think instantly that it was originally written for the U.S.
nice story though nonetheless