A very close friend of mine, we go back to primary school joined the Army about the time I got out. He went to Borneo, Malaysia and Vietnam, came back to NZ and then did a repeat. That was over fifty years ago. Even now within five minutes he starts talking about Vietnam. He lives the horror of Vietnam every day of his life. He spoke of coming across a dieing Vietnamese woman soldier, she called him in Vietnamese a white ghost. That's how they were viewed by the Vietnamese.
He wa up for a military medal but due to playing up it was reduced to a mention in despatches so he was not short of courage.
When they came back from Vietnam the only recognition they got was from protesters. They went from hero to zero in no time at all. They became the forgotton people. Sure they a mention on ANZAC day but that is it. All they were was cannon fodder.
I would never tell him but I so wish he hadn't gone. Most of his mates have passed on, he is in bad health. I would have not been surprised if he had died when he had his first heart attack over twenty years ago. They all got a dose of agent orange that the US were indicriminately dishing out. For years I have expected to get a phone call saying he had passed away
Fast forward to Iraq, there are more people in the Australian army die from suicide since returning from Iraq and Afghanistan than were ever killed on the battle field. They too are the forgotton people. The attitude seems to be piss off noddy, come back when we need you again.
As with all wars there are those like Boeing or Lockheed who have a vested interest in seeing that any conflict carries on as long as possible. They are making a fortune out of the Ukraine. When that conflict finishes they eagerly wait or promote the next one. As always it is the good old taxpayer who picks up the tab.
I think it was Richard the third who was the last king who died in battle. Perhaps if we get those who start or profit from war on the front line we might have a few less.
