2008 Army Signal Ball Manhattan Kansas

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Scott -- I hope you do not think ill of this young man then:



It's a long-standing tradition for the children & grandchildren in Australia to wear their dad's/grandad's medals and march with their old mates in ANZAC Day parades. Notice that the gongs are worn on the right lapel.

These young people are not being phony in their tribute.

Regards,

Todd

Todd,

No one could possibly be offended by the young man in the photo. He is taking part, according to custom and tradition, in a memorial service commemorating the service and sacrifice of soldiers, sailors and airmen who honorably served their country when called upon to do so.

However I am sure you will agree that there is a world of difference between this young man taking part in an ANZAC Day commemoration, or the old soldier marching in a Remembrance Day parade, and some kilted "wanna be warrior" showing up at a local highland games wearing medals/ribbons he is not entitled to.

(As an aside, I do not believe there is any "official" sanction for wearing the medals of a deceased relative or old comrade on the right. As I recall it was a practice that started after the Great War, and was encouraged by the British Legion to remind the nation of the great sacrifice made by family and loved ones who were, truly, left behind when the boys marched off to war.)

[macwilkin]

Todd,

No one could possibly be offended by the young man in the photo. He is taking part, according to custom and tradition, in a memorial service commemorating the service and sacrifice of soldiers, sailors and airmen who honorably served their country when called upon to do so.

However I am sure you will agree that there is a world of difference between this young man taking part in an ANZAC Day commemoration, or the old soldier marching in a Remembrance Day parade, and some kilted "wanna be warrior" showing up at a local highland games wearing medals/ribbons he is not entitled to.

(As an aside, I do not believe there is any "official" sanction for wearing the medals of a deceased relative or old comrade on the right. As I recall it was a practice that started after the Great War, and was encouraged by the British Legion to remind the nation of the great sacrifice made by family and loved ones who were, truly, left behind when the boys marched off to war.)

Glad to hear it, Scott. I would never condone the wearing of unearned medals, but these young people in Australia, as you said, are taking part in a good custom.

I'll ask an e-mail buddy of mine who is ex-RAN about whether the Returned Services League (RSL) has officially sanctioned the practice of wearing medals on the right for dependents.

We in America would do well to follow in their example.

T.

[James MacMillan]

We in America would do well to follow in their example.

In your opinion!



In my opinion - I think it is wrong for anyone to wear awards or medals or ribbons or rank insignia, other than the person who earned the same awards or medals or ribbons or rank insignia.

Just because another location has a tradition does not mean that others should follow it. We should learn from mistakes made! -And I think wearing something (for what-ever reason) that you have not earned, is a mistake.



We will have to agree to disagree on this one. But we can do so and still remain civil.

[macwilkin]

In your opinion!



In my opinion - I think it is wrong for anyone to wear awards or medals or ribbons or rank insignia, other than the person who earned the same awards or medals or ribbons or rank insignia.

Just because another location has a tradition does not mean that others should follow it. We should learn from mistakes made! -And I think wearing something (for what-ever reason) that you have not earned, is a mistake.



We will have to agree to disagree on this one. But we can do so and still remain civil.

So you would tell that young man he was wrong? To his face? Is that how a warrior behaves? Do you realise those medals were his dads or grandads medals? I'd like to see you do that at an ANZAC Day parade, mate -- I doubt you'd like the response from this young man's marching comrades.

I see kids everyday who do not care about the sacrifices made in wartime. Would to God that they acted like this young man, showing pride in his country and his family. How can you even begin to say that is wrong? How is it a mistake for a young man to show pride in what his grandad did in WWII, or his dad in Vietnam?

I'm sorry you can't see the value in the tradition. One would think you, of all people, would be glad that future generations were remembering the sacrifice of those who gave their tomorrow for our today.

T.

[James MacMillan]

So you would tell that young man he was wrong? To his face? Is that how a warrior behaves? Do you realise those medals were his dads or grandads medals? I'd like to see you do that at an ANZAC Day parade, mate -- I doubt you'd like the response from this young man's marching comrades.

I see kids everyday who do not care about the sacrifices made in wartime. Would to God that they acted like this young man, showing pride in his country and his family. How can you even begin to say that is wrong? How is it a mistake for a young man to show pride in what his grandad did in WWII, or his dad in Vietnam?

I'm sorry you can't see the value in the tradition. One would think you, of all people, would be glad that future generations were remembering the sacrifice of those who gave their tomorrow for our today.

T.

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.

[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.

[Nervous Jock]

In my opinion, this young man has not earned the right to wear them, I think it is wrong.

I have come in late to this but I find this opinion really sad.

[Mike1]

James, I have tremendous respect for those that have made the sacrifice of serving in this country's armed forces.

But one thing that absolutely sickens me to death is to watch those that have served walking around beating their own breasts about it.

My father served in Korea. One of his best friends survived a suicide-bomber attack on his destroyer in the Pacific, during WWII. All my life, I've watched these men live very common and ordinary lives. They are both Past-Commanders in a couple of service organizations. I've earned wages, conducting funerals in miserable freezing weather, standing under a tent while my father was getting soaked to the skin as he waited to fire another salute to honor a fallen veteran, free of charge. My father's uniform? It hangs at the back of his closet, where it has always hung.

You served this country and I have no doubt you served to the very best of your ability. Thank you for what you have done. And I am willing to say this to all of our nation's veterans.

But let's remember the stripes you may have worn on your sleeve, or the bits of metal you may have worn on your collar give you absolutely no position of authority in our society. Perhaps there was a time you could bark an order and have large groups of men obey your every word, I don't know. Bark at me and you're likely to have me barking back, right before I laugh in your face. Show me respect and I'll be more than willing to reciprocate.

Once a Marine, always a Marine? Sorry, but from where I'm sitting, that was then and this is now. It is what you are doing today that is defining who you are, not what you once did. Welcome back to the world.

[James MacMillan]

James, I have tremendous respect for those that have made the sacrifice of serving in this country's armed forces.

But one thing that absolutely sickens me to death is to watch those that have served walking around beating their own breasts about it.

My father served in Korea. One of his best friends survived a suicide-bomber attack on his destroyer in the Pacific, during WWII. All my life, I've watched these men live very common and ordinary lives. They are both Past-Commanders in a couple of service organizations. I've earned wages, conducting funerals in miserable freezing weather, standing under a tent while my father was getting soaked to the skin as he waited to fire another salute to honor a fallen veteran, free of charge. My father's uniform? It hangs at the back of his closet, where it has always hung.

You served this country and I have no doubt you served to the very best of your ability. Thank you for what you have done. And I am willing to say this to all of our nation's veterans.

But let's remember the stripes you may have worn on your sleeve, or the bits of metal you may have worn on your collar give you absolutely no position of authority in our society. Perhaps there was a time you could bark an order and have large groups of men obey your every word, I don't know. Bark at me and you're likely to have me barking back, right before I laugh in your face. Show me respect and I'll be more than willing to reciprocate.

Once a Marine, always a Marine? Sorry, but from where I'm sitting, that was then and this is now. It is what you are doing today that is defining who you are, not what you once did. Welcome back to the world.

This may surprize you, but I agree with everything, and I mean everything that you just said. But I'm not sure I see how it relates to my opinion of wearing things that were not earned.

By the way, I have my awards mounted and hanging on the wall. I don't think you ever read a statement by me that said "once a Marine, always a Marine" I am a retired Marine.

[Mike1]

By the way, I have my awards mounted and hanging on the wall. I don't think you ever read a statement by me that said "once a Marine, always a Marine" I am a retired Marine.

I didn't suggest you've posted those words on this forum. Please re-read my post. But you are familiar with the concept, are you not?

I'm simply explaining to you that whilst having the utmost respect for a man's service to his country, I also observe military service means nothing on this forum.

We're all entitled to our opinions. We're all entitled to disagree with another's opinions. We're watching the process unfold in this thread.