Patriot Files Salute

[Wazza]

I want to thank each and every one of the members of Patriot Files for without this site I would not have been able to put together this speech for my son.

You will see that most of it comes from things great Americans have said and in this group I include my friends at Patriot Files.

Some of the lines were adjustments to your signatures which I found particularly candid and moving. For what it's worth I see our similarities as far more important than our differences.

Our homes are were our hearts lie; how cruel then that we only have one heart.

Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori -
SWEET & DECORUS TO DIE FOR ONE'S COUNTRY

What does it mean to me?

My only regret is that I have but one life to give my country.

Former United States President John F. Kennedy once said ''Ask not what your country can do for you, but rather what you can do for your country." This statement was made in relation to the escalating cost of providing welfare to unemployed Americans during the 1960's, but I feel it is a more significant statement in terms of a country's national security especially in times of war.

It is most significant however, in relation to my topic today - the admirable and decent action of making the supreme sacrifice for one's country. It is said that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance and the more you sweat in peace the less you bleed in war. But when politics and diplomacy fail, war is a reality. War is a continuation of politics by other means and fighting a war means casualties. Government is not reason, it is not eloquence ? it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearsome master but we are responsible for it.

Living in Australia, we enjoy the fruits of liberty such as Freedom of Speech, Democratic Government, Freedom of Choice and a peaceful co-existence with our neighbours. These are some of the things which makes one want to live in a country such as ours. But the tree of liberty needs to be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriotism and tyranny.

The American Declaration of Independence is probably the best known document concerning freedom. The fifty-six men who signed that document were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more. They signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.

Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged and I quote:

"For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour."
Most of them lost their lives, their families or their fortunes but none lost their honour.

Remember Braveheart?

I would like to share with you The Declaration of Arbroath 1320. It is a stirring document, not just for Scotland, but to anyone who has one drop of free blood in them. In my opinion, I actually find it the best document concerning freedom I have read.

I quote:

'It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we fight, but for freedom alone, which no honest man gives up except with his life'

I am an invisible man. No, I am not a spook like those who haunted Nicole Kidman in The Others; nor am I one of your Hollywood-movie heroes. I am a person of substance, of flesh and bone, fibre and liquids--and I might even be said to possess a mind. I am invisible understand, simply because people refuse to see me. I am the patriot. The one who is prepared to die for his country and for the freedom we enjoy. This freedom depends on the willingness of its people to make the ultimate sacrifice when required.

Remember:

Freedom is never free.

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well-armed lamb.

Those who give up liberty for a temporary security deserve neither. The greatest calamity is not to have failed, but to have failed to try.

How does one weigh a human life in terms of national security?

FOR ME

Australian Born, Australian Bred, and when I die, by GOD I'll be Australian Dead!

[sn-e3]

Wazza well said and a very true post thank you

[Captain]

Wazza, it sounds as though your son is ready to pack his bags and ship off to the Middle East. Take note, cherrish these moments with him while you still have sight of him. Don't be like me and have an increasingly large drift between my father and i. For i know that when he passes on, i will lose a special section of my heart.

It is said that the greatest bond is found between Father and Son.

Make the effort and spend that extra few minutes a day with him and be positive in your aspect and motivation. I'm sure he will never forget your warmth and love.


Good luck with him!

[Wazza]

Good morn'n Captain. My son was born on 3 May 1984. You'll probably met him at the end of the year at the Defence Academy. He's in for Seaman Officer as well. Good luck to you both. Guess I'll met you a graduation.

[janecallanan]

I wish that I had read that "speech" the day my son was born. My first thought, when I knew I had a boy, was "I don't know if I can do this. He will probably die far from home."
Now he is of age, and it seems like the time for that has gotten closer.
To Captain, you will never loose that part of your heart. There will be things that you say and do, and you'll think "That sounds just like my father", or "My father did it this way". That comes from your heart, and he will always be with you. Be positive too, he must be proud of you.

[Packo]

Wonderful! Thanks for throwing my Scottish Relatives in there. They are a fiesty bunch!

I had a great father. Didn't know it until I was in the Army but I swore if I lived through Vietnam I would do everything I could for him to know I loved him every day. We could still get into some knock down drag outs, but when he died he knew how much I loved and respected him. There is always time to mend a broken fence.

Thanks Wazza!

Airborne!

Packo