Karnal wrote on Jan 25
th, 2013 at 9:03pm:
Heroes, eh? And this is from some South Effrikan yarpie who wasn’t even born.
Soldiers don’t fight for medals, Andrei. I don’t know what it’s like in the gated community you come from, but in the Infantry community, you fight for your mates. You don’t do it for the bucks.
Have you ever even heard a soldier mention his field pay? You and Longy wouldn’t have the first idea about what makes a man tick when his back’s up against the wall. Human motivation is about a lot more than dollars and medals.
Some Thatcherite yarpie hypocrite calling my dead mates heroes is like spitting on their graves. You wouldn’t have the first idea about life and death struggle. The hardest thing you’ve ever done is go to uni - your words.
You pricks are always the first to excuse war crimes, and you’re always the first to get out of it in the first place. None of you has ever had a man eye to eye in the jungle, dreading to be the first to pull the trigger because you know - you know - once you’ve done it you’re a killer. You always remember the first one. He never leaves you. Ever.
And you condone all this with your patronising language and your mincing praise, but most of all your excuses. If you knew war, you’d never excuse it. You’d tell the politicians and the generals where to go. Every soldier I know dreams about this more than he dreams about the first man he’s killed in battle.
But I know now the politicians, like everyone else, are just following orders. And they’re listening to the likes of you. You think I’m bitter? Goddamned right I’m bitter. If my mates see you pricks prancing down the street with your lovely shiny families and your precious innocent lives, I won’t be held responsible for what happens.
You know, heroes. We’re smacking heroes alright.
The Australasian Military Fraud
Often called by the derogatory term "wannabe" these are men and women who may or may not have served in the armed forces, but who fraudulently misrepresent themselves as having served; often in a theatre of war by their words and actions, and by wearing of medals and other accoutrements to military service to which they have no entitlement.
In recent years there has been uncertainty about who is entitled to wear US and Vietnamese decorations. The Australian government has instituted an application and verification method for all those who believe that they are entitled to foreign awards. Those without government notification or approval must be classified as a fraud, a "wannabe."
The impostor or fraud will push the line saying that they were "given" decorations in the field. This does not legitimise the wearing of the award. Official recognition was and still is supported with documentation and the written citation. It is known that some Vietnamese Commanders "awarded" American and Australian servicemen decorations for being nice, or for a favour, not for gallantry or service rendered.
Under the Defence Act, 1903 as amended, it is a federal offence to claim to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman, subject to six months' imprisonment and a fine of up to $3300. Further it is an offence to wear a service decoration to which you are not entitled, attracting additional penalties.
Worse though, is the cost to Australia's taxpayers who are picking up the tabs to the tune of perhaps million of dollars in payments and pensions to 'veterans' who have no legitimate claim to the title.
Worse still is the insult to genuine veterans of any conflict, who find their courage, honour and valour stolen by imposters both from within and outside their ranks. We will continue to ferret out those who misrepresent their service. More here.
On too you
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