Demonstrators
show
lack of understanding
I wish to apologise to all the armed forces for the current batch
of demonstrations.
Please remember that there are a small number of people who are
incapable of understanding history, and that it is your job to
defend them regardless.
I was particularly annoyed by the ‘green piece’ (sic)
hanging from the side of HMAS Sydney on her way to The Gulf.
He was completely aware that he would be rescued if he got into
trouble. Just as he was aware that the personnel lining the ship
above him were heading towards trouble for which rescue might
be impossible.
He was a show off, a braggart, that is all. It is your job to
defend these people as well as those who support you and are full
of admiration for what you can do, and what you have done.
You must not let them demoralise you. You can pity them if you
like, but you must otherwise ignore them.
You are the best sailors, soldiers, airmen and women that the
world has seen. You have proved that many times already.
Keep the faith.
Giles
Pickford,
Towradgi, NSW.
Safe passage, following sea
Now that our Service personnel are serving in The Gulf and have
entered the war with Iraq, it is time that we, as Australians,
should be doing everything in our power to help them.
Not like the Vietnam conflict (I was part of it) where the wharfies
refused to load the necessary ships with stores and ammunition
and the Seaman’s Union that would not sail the stores ships.
We need to ensure that our troops in The Gulf have all the equipment,
stores and ammunition that will help them to do their duty and
return to family and loved ones in one piece.
The last thing we need are demonstrations and the like which cannot
be doing the morale much good. It certainly didn’t help in
the Vietnam era.
We should also ensure that the Defence Force personnel are welcomed
home properly, not as was the case with Vietnam veterans, who
are still suffering after 30 years.
Finally, as a returned sailor, I wish all our personnel in The
Gulf a safe passage, a following sea and the Southern
Cross to steer home by. Bravo Zulu.
Geoff
Jordan, ex-RAN (LSMTPD3)
Devonport, Tasmania.
Recognition
for injured service persons
The Injured Service Persons Association
(ISPA) national vice-president, Will Anderson and Victorian representative,
Craig Ellery, will ride a tandem bicycle from Adelaide to Melbourne
in late 2003 to raise awareness of the plight of many ex-service
personnel. They are seeking media and financial support, if possible.
If you could assist us in their cause please contact Will Anderson
on 03-93744657 or Craig Ellery on 98867829.
Seeking details on my dad
My name is Chloe Humpreys, I’m 16 and I’m seeking help
from older members of the Royal Australian Navy.
On November 29, 1987 when I was just a few months old, my father
SMNQMG Gordon Shane Rae (Serial No R 140330) was killed in a road
accident in Sydney.
I’d like to know more about him and believe those who served
with him could help.
If you were with him at HMAS Cerberus between October 27, 1986
and September 13, 1987 and knew him, I’d like to hear from
you.
If you knew him when he was on HMAS Sydney between September 14,
1987 and the time of his death, please make contact.
Would you please call LCDR Kevin Drinkwater on 02 9377 3735 or
0409 033 950, if you can help.
Chloe Humphreys,
South Australia.
The
opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not represent the
views of the editor or the Navy. Sailors wishing to air their
views through letters to the editor have access to the newspaper
without using the chain of command. Letters may be edited. Preference
will be given to letters of fewer than 300 words. The letter will
be published only when it includes the author’s name, unit
(where applicable), location and contact number. If the author
has a genuine reason for remaining anonymous, he or she must still
provide details to allow Navy Newspaper staff members to discuss
the matter. Send your letters to:
The Editor — Navy Newspaper
R8-LG-039
Department of Defence, Canberra 2600; or email to:
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