As I got up and made my way through the Lounge area and opened back the glass sliding doors to the Balcony and looked out over towards the distant rising sun, I could not but help think that my freedom to do just this was purchased by the willingness of so many before me to offer up their lives for the rights of yet unborn people to enjoy freedom of life.
This was so well expressed in a FB post by young Lindi this morning when she said the following; 'A Soldier/Sailor/Airmen is someone who at one point in their life made a blank cheque payable to AUSTRALIA, for an amount up to, and including, their life! That is honour......They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them..'
Today, as I look out at the brilliant radiant light that the sun is pouring out over all the earth it is my time to once again remember those who went before in service to our great country and as a result of doing so paid that ultimate price. I also need to reflect and in some way try and picture the pain, hurt and horror that those who survived brought back with them on their returning home to a grateful country.
These valiant people returned home, changed forever by what they experienced and witnessed. Some have been able to process the experience and share parts of what they went through with family and friends. Others, unfortunately were so effected by what they went through that they retreated and walled up that part of their life, afraid of the possible outcome/response from others should they open up about what they went through. To these anonymous people I silently pour out my love, thankfulness and gratitude knowing that they gave the same to me all that time ago when they responded to the call to stand up and be counted.
The sun has now risen past the cloud bank that was stretched across the skyline and is now occupying centre stage in the clear blue sky that has only a couple of puff clouds floating by. The blue sea below is gently washing itself towards the golden sands of the beach.
The picture is one of brightness and hope, as the sun sheds light and warmth over the scene. The puff clouds are like the handkerchiefs that we use to wipe our faces and dry our eyes. The sea below reminds me of the blood and tears that were and continue to be spilt by those who were involved in living and serving through the times of war and beyond. The golden sands of the beach represents to me the freedom that our land enjoys as a result of what our forebears personally sacrificed.
I will remember them.
We need to remember them.
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Very well said, GB.
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