An Aussie's Respect...

Posted By Blackfive

Via Corporal Seamus, I received this email:

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

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2819/28084572

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference An Aussie's Respect...:

» An Aussie's Admiration [dri] from Ace of Spades HQ
Over at Blackfive, an email quoting an Australian trooper stationed in Iraq (and his father) has some very complimentary things to say about the American soldiers he has interacted with during his deployment. "The Yanks (I hope you don't mind... [Read More]

Comments

[OFRGunny]

If Mr. Turner and his son do make that bike trip, they can overnight with this retired Gunny and maybe one of my Marine sons ( Two sons, combat Marines, 4 tours between them) will be home by that time as well.

And the trolls call this email a fake in 5-4-3-2-

OFR Gunny Doug

out

[Mr.Sparkle]

FAKE! Only kidding.

After reading that I just feel down right dirty.

All armies have only a few things between them. Training, ideology, experience. money

As far as I'm concerned Americans always win out on the last one, the others are more debatable!

In terms of the US and Commonwealth though, I think these arguments are closer to inter service rivalries!

The British special forces are now totally plugged into Delta etc. in Baghdad that they are now almost a functioning component of the US military.

[Sig]

It does seem awful syrupy to me. I received it in e-mail and didn't finish reading it. But I get so many "support teh troopz" e-mails passed around from various family members that I am fairly jaded at this point.

Sig

[David]

Peter, with all due respect, I disagree. Not that Yanks aren't great, we are, but I have had my time with diggers and one of my daughter's friend owes his life to a good to go digger. People are measured by the quality of their friends. Australians are good friends, so we are doing something right.

[Old Tanker]

The Yanks (I hope you don't mind me using that word)

Heck, they normally refer to us as "Seppos" Yank is a step up...

I'd cast my lot with a digger any day!

[Grim]

I always liked seeing the Diggers in the DFAC. It never occurred to me to be mad about it. Such hospitality is one of those things a Coalition ought to do -- all of us ate together, like comrades in a common cause, which is just what we were.

[MaryAnn]

Along the same line, I've often been surprised at the depth of gratitude expressed by Coalition patients and their families at Landstuhl. Because medical care for those wounded in battle is another thing a Coalition ought to do, as Grim puts it. I make sure the patients (or their families or medevac crews if the patient is not conscious) know how much we appreciate their country's friendship and how proud and honored we are to stand with them.

Yes, people are measured by the quality of their friends. And we have some great friends in the Aussies and our other Coalition partners.

[Orion]

I'm with the others - I've got nothing but respect for the Diggers. I'm really glad he had such a great experience with our guys but I think he's selling himself short.

Rumor has it my unit will be deploying somewhere soon and I'd feel totally safe if I had Diggers, Kiwis, Tommies, or Canucks for that matter, anywhere near me.

Orion

[Cincinnati_Bob]

I'd take Australia Anyday

[tankerbrosbrat]

The expression "you are known by the company you keep" springs to mind. Even IF this email was *fake*, THIS coalition partner will always cherish and respect the company I get to keep. :)

[rick554]

From one Proud Parent of a SOLDIER, To another Proud Parent of a SOLDIER, HOOOOAH and God Bless the QUEEN!
Rick554
REDHORSE!

[Grim]

Yes, God save the Queen. I'll never forget how she had the Coldstream Guards play The Star Spangled Banner after 9/11.

[TN_NamVolunteer]

Mr. Turner,

Thank you for the very kind, uplifting words. I had occasion in '69 to bump-into a couple of 'bush hats' in Vietnam. They were superior soldiers by any countries' measure.

Allow me to echo: "God save the Queen!". I do not recall (only being three years of age) any of the details of Her Coronation; but, with my father being stationed in England with dependents, at that time, I did learn the "King's English" "at Her Knee".

Best regards and God's shelter over you son until he is home.

Thomas

[Phendlin]

When you guys get to Saint Louis, this former Marine will buy ya's a round or 2 at the Legion Post! God be with you and your son, and all those fighting on the side of good!

[douglas]

"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."

Well, it may be true that Australia couldn't do as much as we, but I am certain (even more so after reading the link CinciBob put up) that the Diggers would be there by our sides. Greatness comes in many sizes.

If America ever went arse up, Australia here I come!

[LPierson]

No offense to our friends the Britts, however, the Aussies have been places with us that they have not. I too have had the distinct pleasure to shake hands with a Digger on the wrong side of the world.

[Mr.Sparkle]

Such as?

[JusCruzn]

Mr. Turner,

Thanks for that letter. I will have to have a Foster's in honor of you and your son tonight! God bless you both until your son is home again with you.

[JusCruzn]

Ditto on the link Cincinnatti Bob posted! I read it some time ago and think it should be the policy of all nations that let people of any faith into their country.

[Kevin R]

Mr Turner,

Thank you for the refreshing comments. The war with the media can wear you down and make you feel that your all alone, today I don’t feel alone! Tonight as I pray for my Army son in Iraq I will add your son to the same prayer! God bless you!

[Rich V]

Oooohh Raaah!!!

G-d Save the Queen!

Richard A. Vail, (formerly) LcCpl, USMC
Pikesville, MD USA

[Cincinnati_Bob]

Thanks for your comments.

I believe Australia has the right tact in this matter. In fact, the only sane path.

[winemkr]

Wow, what a refreshing and honest insight into the core of our great country.

Thanks Mr Turner.

BTW

I work with a young Aussie who does your country very proud.

I have never met an Australian who I did not admire, and I have met quite a few. ( I take that back, there was one young asshole that I wanted to slap the shit out of, but he wasn't worth the time).

There's always that ten percent.

Semper Fi Sir

[elly]

I'm an Australian, and it's a nice story, as are many of the warm comments here.

But I think it's a fake. Some of the jarring notes:

"am not real worried " - American locution, not Australian (we would say "not that worried")

"...they do it right." - Australians say "properly" or "the right way". "Do it right" is an Americanism

"they have every right to be pissed at that" -No Australian uses "pissed" like this. Pissed in Australia means drunk. For angry, we say "pissed OFF."

Nonetheless, I heartily applaud the sentiments. Even if a Yank wrote this, I totally agree. Speaking for myself and many others (not the latte-sipping elites, but the real Aussies): We bloody love the USA!

[WildThing]

Thank you this is awesome. God bless our troops and this Aussie soldier too.

[Mr.Sparkle]

Ha elly well spotted. Cheeky f**k who wrote this should get a good slap!

[douglas]

This is a fitting tribute to our Aussie friends. It's a poster from WWII, but fits as well today.

As for the vernacular terms, becuase of the predominance of american entertainment, Americanisms creep into every language. You may be right, or the man and his son who wrote it (or perhaps someone who retranscribed it later) may have interjected these Americanisms either intentionally as the letter is too an American audience, or they've just absorbed some Americanisms into their speech. Or you are correct.

Seems like embassy duty would be a relatively small pool, does anyone know anyone who knows anyone...???

[texas]

What a beautiful letter! (sniff, sniff.)

Peter Turner and other Aussies came to the realization of what we know already ............... OUR TROOPS ARE AWESOME! They make us sooo proud.

God Bless America!