A Shout Out to Our Veterans

**rebbu** · 16-09-2019, 09:19 PM

When I was a young man I carried my pack
And I lived the free life of a rover
From the Murrays green basin to the dusty outback
I waltzed my Matilda all over
Then in nineteen fifteen my country said Son
It's time to stop rambling 'cause there's work to be done
So they gave me a tin hat and they gave me a gun
And they sent me away to the war
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we sailed away from the quay
And amidst all the tears and the shouts and the cheers
We sailed off to Gallipoli

How well I remember that terrible day
How the blood stained the sand and the water
And how in that hell that they called Suvla Bay
We were butchered like lambs at the slaughter
Johnny Turk he was ready, he primed himself well
He chased us with bullets, he rained us with shells
And in five minutes flat he'd blown us all to hell
Nearly blew us right back to Australia
But the band played Waltzing Matilda
As we stopped to bury our slain
We buried ours and the Turks buried theirs
Then we started all over again

Now those that were left, well we tried to survive
In a mad world of blood, death and fire
And for ten weary weeks I kept myself alive
But around me the corpses piled higher
Then a big Turkish shell knocked me arse over tit
And when I woke up in my hospital bed
And saw what it had done, I wished I was dead
Never knew there were worse things than dying
For no more I'll go waltzing Matilda
All around the green bush far and near
For to hump tent and pegs, a man needs two legs
No more waltzing Matilda for me

So they collected the cripples, the wounded, the maimed
And they shipped us back home to Australia
The armless, the legless, the blind, the insane
Those proud wounded heroes of Suvla
And as our ship pulled into Circular Quay
I looked at the place where my legs used to be
And thank Christ there was nobody waiting for me
To grieve and to mourn and to pity
And the band played Waltzing Matilda
As they carried us down the gangway
But nobody cheered, they just stood and stared
Then turned all their faces away

And now every April I sit on my porch
And I watch the parade pass before me
And I watch my old comrades, how proudly they march
Reliving old dreams of past glory
And the old men march slowly, all bent, stiff and sore
The forgotten heroes from a forgotten war
And the young people ask, "What are they marching for?"
And I ask myself the same question
And the band plays Waltzing Matilda
And the old men answer to the call
But year after year their numbers get fewer
Some day no one will march there at all

Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
Who'll go a waltzing Matilda with me
And their ghosts may be heard as you pass the Billabong
Who'll go a waltzing Matilda with me?

The last verse sums up what I myself think about going to war or serve in the military. I've never understood the cult thanking veterans, especially from the septics. You singed up, no one forced you. You did your job now move on.

**Simon43** · 17-09-2019, 05:09 AM

Saw a youtube vid showing a southern town there was a block where the neighbors were all competing by getting bigger and bigger flag poles and flags. Looked utterly ridiculous.

Nope, simple reason.

They were all radio amateurs living in towns where ham radio antennas are banned. The solution is to plant a flagpole in your garden and fly the US flag, because there's a law in the US that allows anyone to legally stick a flagpole in their garden and to fly the flag.

The ham antenna is hidden inside the flagpole - nifty eh?

A Shout Out to Our Veterans-flagpole-jpg

**fishlocker** · 17-09-2019, 05:21 AM

Nobody forced you?
Wow, ever heard of " the draft". No I'm not talking a Creamy Dark or a Pale Ale.

As for poms I think some they did it as Mercenaries plus they got to keep the ear necklaces for bragging rights.

**rebbu** · 17-09-2019, 06:30 AM

Originally Posted by fishlocker

Nobody forced you?
Wow, ever heard of " the draft".

Wow, ever heard of conscientious objectors?
Typical septic reasoning: send teenager to futile war, check. Go kill innocents, check. Come home & feel sad, check. Make a movie & indoctrinate more moron teenagers to go to war & kill more innocents. Big fucking septic gun-toting 'murica freedom fries check.

**AntRobertson** · 17-09-2019, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by rebbu

I've never understood the cult thanking veterans, especially from the septics

The whole military worship thing is a little odd, all that 'thank you for keeping us safe... by invading a poor country' stuff and the packaged and commercialized patriotism at sports events.

**HuangLao** · 17-09-2019, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

The whole military worship thing is a little odd, all that 'thank you for keeping us safe... by invading a poor country' stuff and the packaged and commercialized patriotism at sports events.

It's all rather creepy, actually - the subtle cultural entrenched romance and championing of militarism, war, and soldiering.
Witnessed, subconsciously, through every facet of social order.

**lob** · 17-09-2019, 09:29 AM

[QUOTE=bowie;4002604]Sorry, Nev/Ray, granted there are a few "GI Joe" "soldier-of-fortune" wannabes, but, for the most part (remember USA military is all volunteer), working 24/7 where one mistake, yours or someone elses can cost you your life. Our servicemen do not take this lightly, it certainly ain't "just a job".

this aint about yankie bashing, BUT, u open urself up to it with the fact jewsa is voluntary. then u wanna winge about conditions. most not if all conflicts since the real war, has been nothing to do with the west, other than looking after their fat cow, cheap labour incomes. as for the poor old volunteers, i have them in three categories, 1/ the dregs of ur local town, whereby the local magistrate gives them the choice of sign on or nick, 2/ kids with little choice in life, its a get out of town card. 3/ the uneducated.... not to be put down about this... i was one of the uneducated ones.

**lob** · 17-09-2019, 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by Pragmatic

But how many would do them knowing that getting killed or maimed was high risk? And doing that job gave a wage not good enough to live on? Christ if I'd not wasted 12 years earning shit money and became a rig worker I'd be far better of than I am now. Not that I'm struggling but.............

u got my interest prag...i seved in 50s 60s,, better pay than my dad, working in the dockyard. so how come ur pay was so bad, and wot dates we talking.

**lob** · 17-09-2019, 09:48 AM

[QUOTE=hallelujah I don't think anything can compare with knowing that a bad day at the office may well result in the loss of your life.

I have nothing but admiration for ex-service(wo)men.[/QUOTE]
fortunately, human nature being wot it is, it aint gonna happen to me.... as for ur admiration,,im just the same as u,,, like arsoles and opinions we all have one.

**bowie** · 17-09-2019, 10:42 AM

Back on Topic

This Thread is My Personal Thanks to those who had the courage to serve. To put on a uniform, pick up a weapon, stand a post, and put their life on the line for the greater good.

The Few, The Brave and The Proud. The circumstances under which you served do not matter. What matters is you did serve. You had the ability and the courage to step up to the plate and serve.

You are all welcome to join me in “Thanking”Our Veterans.

All the no-account civilians spouting off at the mouth with shit dribblin’ down their chins can go attempt the physically impossible.

Their line of bullshit opinions don’t mean squat on this thread. Let ‘em Just Fuck Off.

My Personal Thanks to Veterans.

**AntRobertson** · 17-09-2019, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by bowie

All the no-account civilians spouting off at the mouth with shit dribblin’ down their chins can go attempt the physically impossible.
Their line of bullshit opinions don’t mean squat on this thread. Let ‘em Just Fuck Off.

All those who fought and died for your freedoms would be turning in their graves.

Why do you hate freedom of speech, comrade?

**Klondyke** · 17-09-2019, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by fishlocker

Nobody forced you?
Wow, ever heard of " the draft"

Quite puzzled: "the draft" had forced to fight for "freedom"...

Now, no longer "the draft" (so far), however, still fighting for "freedom". (Sorry, no "fighting", just serving)

**Cujo** · 17-09-2019, 01:50 PM

Why did I think Bowie was an Aussie?
Anyway, it's been a while since any of our countries had the draft.

**kmart** · 17-09-2019, 02:30 PM

^Not required any more (unless you live in 3rd World fascist dictatorships, like Thailand

). Technology has replaced a lot of military jobs, and the deterioration of decent wages in the US/UK ensures that there are long lines of grunts waiting to sign up. Especially when they've grown up watching bullshit Hollywood propaganda.

**Norton** · 17-09-2019, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by kmart

Especially when they've grown up watching bullshit Hollywood propaganda.

Media different but the public has always been subject to glorification of war via tales of our Great warriors. Ramses II hieroglyphics depicting his victories. Arrian and Plutarch writings about Alexander the Great. Sima Qian writings about Qin Shi Huang. All the smitting and smotting so well documented in the Christian Bible and Koran.

Great warriors followed by warriors for varied reasons. Spoils of war, for god's favor, for country and some just for adventure.

Nothing has changed since we were exchanging our warrior exploits around a fire in a cave somewhere. Only the names of the great and the names great nations.

Our history as a violent species who will kill for greed is well known and foretells our future. The strong will prevail over the weak.

Darwin was right. Either fight for whatever reason, even if the reason is BS, or become extinct.

for your time and attention.

**Cujo** · 17-09-2019, 06:37 PM

Certainly no veterans of current conflicts were drafted.
And it's not as though there are any current conflicts that the U.S. didn't unnecessarily start themselves.
I could understand all the respect our vets bs if they were defending the nation but they're on the other side of the world fighting wars they have no place fighting.

**bowie** · 17-09-2019, 07:32 PM

http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/countries-with-mandatory-military-service/

There are several nations that have compulsory, or required, military service as well as voluntary military service. Those nations are Bermuda, Burundi, Cape Verde, Colombia, France, Kuwait, Mali, Mauritania, Singapore, Sweden, Thailand, and Venezuela. The United States does not have compulsory military service, but it is also included in this list because all males between the ages of 18 and 25 must register with the Selective Service to be drafted if needed.

There are many nations that have compulsory military service up to one year. Those nations are Brazil, Estonia, France, Greece, Qatar, Sweden, and Turkey.
Nations that require one year of military service include Algeria, Bolivia, Colombia, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Mongolia, Paraguay, Russia, Taiwan, Tunisia, and Uzbekistan.

There are several nations that require military service of no more than 18 months. Those nations are Azerbaijan, Belarus, Benin, Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Egypt, Georgia, Kuwait, Laos, Morocco, and United Arab Emirates.

The nations that require military service of longer than 18 months include Armenia, Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Cuba, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Israel, North Korea, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Singapore, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Togo, and Yemen.

Most compulsory service is for adult males. However, there are also nations that have compulsory service for women. These countries are Armenia, Cape Verde, Chad, China, Eritrea, Israel, Norway, North Korea, and Sweden.

**Klondyke** · 17-09-2019, 07:46 PM

^Not to forget the conscription of all male citizens in peace-loving Switzerland with a compulsory boot camp 3 - 4 months and repeating 3 - 4 weeks every year, beside few Sundays obligatory shooting and inspection of their gear kept at home.

**Neverna** · 17-09-2019, 08:34 PM

And a shout out to all Russian, Chinese and Iranian veterans. (Veterans are veterans, uniforms are uniforms). A big Thank You for your service.

**Norton** · 17-09-2019, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by Neverna

And a shout out to all Russian, Chinese and Iranian veterans

Lest we forget.

A Shout Out to Our Veterans-800px-statue_of_king_taksin-jpg

**bowie** · 17-09-2019, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Neverna

And a shout out to all Russian, Chinese and Iranian veterans.

Yup, let's go Allies. Hitler certainly wasn't too happy with his results in Russia, nor was Japan all to happy with China, In the late 70's I schooled with the Iranians, they were our Allies then.

At least our primary allowed languages aren't German and/or Japanese.

**Klondyke** · 17-09-2019, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by bowie

In the late 70's I schooled with the Iranians, they were our Allies then.

In late 70's our Allies? Was'n it when the Khomeini came back?

**Norton** · 18-09-2019, 04:08 AM

Yes but very late 70's. I had occasion to travel to Iran several times mid 70s. Fantastic nation and people.

**bowie** · 18-09-2019, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by Norton

Fantastic nation and people.

Quite impressive just how expert the media is/are at portraying and demonizing persons/cultures/ideologies to fit the "bad-guys-of-the-day" agenda.

**AntRobertson** · 18-09-2019, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by bowie

Quite impressive just how expert the media is/are at portraying and demonizing persons/cultures/ideologies to fit the "bad-guys-of-the-day" agenda.

The media? Nothing to do with your government and, you know, military then?

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