2008 Army Signal Ball Manhattan Kansas

[macwilkin]

No, I wouldn't say it to his face. That does not mean that I don't think that it is wrong. I am not in that part of the world, and I would not try to change their traditions. I do understand the reasons, I don't agree with them. I would much rather see him carry the awards on a plaque, or carry a framed picture of his relative. In my opinion, this young man has not earned the right to wear them, I think it is wrong.

There are many ways to remember the past.

All I'll say is this: this young man doesn't need to earn those medals. His dad/grandad/brother/uncle already did, for him and for Australia. They earned them at Milne Bay, Tobruk, The Hook, Long Tan, Borneo, East Timor and the Gulf. They earned them on the Western Front and at Gallipoli.

I respect your right to your opinion and your service, but I still stand with the Aussies.

T.