While we reflect on those that have and are still serving our country this Anzac weekend we should also think of their families.
Many of those that fought and are currently in service come back broken. Some are able to put the pieces back together others aren't so lucky with physical and mental scars running deep.
A lot of the old who have passed couldn't bring themselves to attend the ANZAC services as the memories that they held firm within may have opened.
On their return, some turned to alcohol and other forms to help forget and in some cases to help with the pain of their injuries of war.
Their battles and scars weren't discussed and their behaviour on their return kept locked within the veteran and family cocoon.
Many families suffer in silence while the deeds of those who fought became blurred by the daily survival in mainstream society.
Many died before their time like my grandfather who came back as an injured and broken soldier who had fought in Syria, Egypt, Tobruk, Palestine, Kokoda to name a few at the age of 49 he lost the battle to his demons.
I never met him, my father only knew the returned soldier as a broken man, my grandmother loyal to her soldier to the end saving the pieces of such a relevant past our history our story.
I only wish that these three people (the solider, my gran and my dad) who have been gone for so many years now were here today so I could share and show just proud we all are of what this solider their husband and father and my grandfather did for his country and our generations.
We as a country who have learned so much about the lasting effects of war on our diggers and families of generations past need to support and encourage all those soldiers and surviving veterans suffering from Post-traumatic stress disorder.
We shall remember them.
Leave Comment