From an Australian whose son is in Iraq

Gentlemen,
I am an Australian and my son is an Australian - as far as we are concerned
there is not place on God's earth better than Australia, and there are no
people better than Australians.
That was until the past week or so.
My son is in the Australian Army and he is currently on deployment in Iraq. I
can not go into his duties in great depth, but shall we say that he and his
fellow army buddies are on a glorified guard duty looking after the Australian
Embassy. They don't go out looking for "action", though it is a
different story in Afghanistan, there the Aussie troops chase the baddies over
the hills and into the valleys..
My son and I just ended a long phone conversation and here are some of his
comments, believe me this is what he said. We have all seen the bullshit
emails written by some clown in his lounge room pretending to be at the coal
face, but this is what was said.:
"Before I came over here I thought we (the Australian Army) were pretty
shit hot..... was I ever wrong!....The Yanks (I hope you don't mind me using
that word) are so professional from the top to the bottom that it is almost
embarrassing to be in their company, and to call yourself a soldier....don't
get me wrong, we are good at what we do but the Yanks are so much
better.....they are complete at what they do, how they do it and their attitude
is awesome....they don't complain they just get on with the job and they do it
right.....I carry a Minimi (SAW) so I am not real worried about a confrontation
but I tell you I feel safer just knowing that the US Army is close by....If we
got into trouble I know that our boys would come running and we could deal with
it but they would probably be passed by a load of Hummers."
"No questions asked, no glory sought, the Americans would just fight with us
and for us because that is their nature, to protect those in need of
protection.....We use the American Mess so you could say that we are fed by the
Americans.....they have every right to be pissed at that but they don't bitch
about that they just make us feel as welcome as possible....what gets to me is
that the Yanks don't walk around with a 'we are better than you
attitude,' and they could because they are, they treat us as equals and as
brothers in arms. If nothing else, coming here has taught me that the Americans
are a truly great Nation and a truly great bunch of people....."
"Let's face it they don't HAVE to be here, they could stay in America and beat
the shit out of anyone who threatened them, BUT THEY ARE HERE because they
believe they should be here, and the Iraqis would be screwed if they weren't
here.....When I come home, you and I we are going to the US, we will buy some
bikes and we are going riding..."
The reason why I am sharing this with you is because I realize that you (as a
nation) must get pretty pissed with all the criticism you receive by the
so-called "know it alls" who are sitting at home - safe. The reality
is that they are safe, just as I am, because of America. If the world went arse
up tomorrow there is little all we (Australia) could do about it, but I know
that the Americans would be there putting themselves on the line for others.
That to me is the sign of greatness.
The most precious thing in my life is my son, I look at him and I thank God
that I am fortunate enough to be able to spend time in his company. We laugh,
we discuss, we argue, we dummy spit, we have the same blood. I am not happy
that he is where he is but that is his duty. He joined the Army to protect and
to defend, not to play games. I mightn't like it but I accept it. My reasons
for not liking it are selfish and self centered. I felt assured that he would
be safe because he is in a well trained army with an excellent record, BUT NOW,
I feel a whole lot better knowing that he is with your sons, daughters,
brothers and sisters.
Whilst he was growing up, I was always there to look after him, I would
not let harm befall him and I would always put myself before him to protect
him. I can't do that now. When it comes to looking after him now he and his mates
will do the job, but also THANK GOD FOR AMERICA.
Gentlemen, I have rambled on for too long. but as I finish I say to you, as a
foreigner and outsider, a nation is only a collection of its people and its
attitude is the attitude of its people, collectively and as individuals. I am
really glad you are here on this Earth and I respect you as a nation and as
people.
Stand up and feel proud because you deserve it, there is no one else who will
do what America does without question. The next time someone howls you down,
take some comfort in the fact that America is defending their right to act like
an idiot.
Finally, thank you for looking after my son.
Peter Turner