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April 17, 2008
Aussie Trooper Stationed in Iraq Shares With His Dad About U.S. Troops
A must read 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 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
....Thank you Rhod for the link to this.
Posted by Wild Thing at April 17, 2008 12:44 AM
Comments
I have a co-worker from Down Under. He's a great guy, former Aussie Air Force veteran (F-111 crew chief), and he wears an American flag on his uniform... Aussie's are superb, and when we crew rested DOWN UNDER, the gals LOVED the YANKS... so I hear? Love those
New Zealanders too! Love their accent!!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at April 17, 2008 01:19 AM
This was awesome!
Australians are some of the kindness people on earth. My brother spent time in Perth, training the Royal Marines for the Falkland Islands. Truth be told, I think the Australians would rather be part of America than the UK. They were even using American money at that time!
He used to tell us how Prince Andrew was the only "normal" one in the bunch of the monarch. He liked to go to the pub with every other guy and he liked girls--a lot.
Thank you for sharing this one. It's great.
Posted by: Lynn at April 17, 2008 04:55 AM
Thank you Rhod, my late bro.-in-law was an Aussie, he didn't shirk his duty either. Thanks WT, it's stories like this that keep me from total sarcasm about our leaders, we have glowing examples of leadership, patriotism and humanitarian deeds far beyond anything we can expect from the diplomatic corps. Not from DC but from withing the ranks.
God bless America and it's military.
Posted by: Jack at April 17, 2008 11:03 AM
I love them Aussies and New Zealanders. Lynn is right that many of them would rather be a part of America. I would gladly accept them as the 51st and 52nd states.
Posted by: TomR at April 17, 2008 12:36 PM
Awesome WT!!!! Makes one feel proud again!!!! Maybe Michele Obama should take lessons from these beautiful kind people of Australia and New Zealand!!!! I would gladly serve with them!!!
Thanks for sharing this with us WT!!!!
Posted by: John at April 17, 2008 01:01 PM
Darth, yes they are nice people. I met a few of them at the gym when we lived in Calif.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 17, 2008 02:18 PM
Lynn how neat, thank you so much for sharing about your brother.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 17, 2008 02:20 PM
Jack I know what you mean. It is so great to hear these kinds of things and things about our troops that give us hope.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 17, 2008 02:23 PM
Tom me too, that would be wonderful.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 17, 2008 02:25 PM
John, I love these kind of stories too.
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 17, 2008 02:27 PM
PS: WOW, the same neighbors WT? Their kangaroo kept taking a dump on our lawn too! My children thought it was the Easter Bunny!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at April 18, 2008 01:09 AM
Darth, giggle
Posted by: Wild Thing at April 18, 2008 03:43 AM
