Hello @Appleblossom
And other visitors to the "Hangar"
You mentioned with reference to your son:
“He was in air cadets for a while as a teen, but chose to move away from the military even though many his age would succumb to the excitements of the machines and glorification of war. Now with all the toxic masculinity slights in the media he is trying for his inner strength. Not an easy path for anyone. The truth is that past war experiences have current consequences when natural healthy discussion has been prevented, as it has in my family. People can get over things if they can process them thoroughly and properly. Sorry to bring my story in, but I hoped you would have some wisdom/understanding/resonance with your experience.”
{The underlines, I have added for reference to the text of my response.}
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You and I agree on many issues and also generally enjoy each other's contributions to the forum topics. However, I offer the following for consideration by you and others on the forum.
It is easy to paint word pictures that only see issues through the lens of black or white, good and bad, right or wrong.
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Despite, and possibly because of a significant family connection with the military, and my own involvement in National Service, I have, in the past, tended to avoid involvement and participation in commemoration services related to military service activities.
{quite distant and distinct from glorification of war}
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Paradoxically, in recent years, I have conducted the three annual memorial services offered where I live, remembering those, of all countries, who have died, and those, physically and psychologically injured and maimed, in war. The majority of those people suffered and, as we know, many died, while protecting our freedom(s), our rights and those of the populations of other countries, during war. We may even consider the significant attempts that have been made to wrest on behalf of, and give freedom and rights to people, in some countries, of the gender group to which you belong, that comprises more than half the population of the world, but in some countries are denied any of the freedoms that we all enjoy in Australia {even the freedom, in Australia, to disagree with anyone else}.
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The memorial services, that I conduct, are ANZAC Day, Vietnam Veterans' Day and Remembrance Day. In none of those memorial services could it be said that there exists, or is portrayed, a glorification of war.
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I would certainly acknowledge the idea of “succumb(ing) to the excitements of the machines”, which is not an exclusively male interest and is currently encouraged among young women as part of the effort to break down gender specific roles. However, I would strongly challenge the idea of “glorification of war”, even in the areas where people are trained for defence purposes. While I certainly, as in most other discussions, cannot speak on behalf of, or represent all members of different military services, structures or organisations, in this and other allied countries, I believe that I can speak for the majority when I say that there is generally considered to be no glory in war.
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On the other hand, there are often actions undertaken by individuals, which justifiably attract the reference of being meritorious and which, albeit rarely, may be attributed the highest of Australia's honours. In time of active service during war time operations, those honours may be the award of The Victoria Cross. {A}. or the The Star of Gallantry, {B} . Such actions occur in both military service during war and civilian service in times of peace, when the Cross of Valour (CV) {C} may be awarded.
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As, with all institutions, there are different views and ranges in degrees with which views are held. However, I believe that it is a slight against those who have been involved in military activities, to brand all, or even the majority of them, as being that part of the population who glorifies war.
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It may be worth reflecting on the possibilities, particularly for Australia and Australians, had the outcome of WW 2 been different, if the allies had not been successful in Europe, and in the Pacific region.
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While we may be able to point at deficiencies in the way various peoples have been treated, or not attended to since that time, it may also be worth considering the possible fate of, and outcomes that may have awaited those same people of various ethnic and racial groups, and even for those of us who experience mental illness, given what we know of the views held by prominent and powerful people from the countries which we have confronted and opposed in war, even to the present day. It may not, even now, under some regimes, have been legal in Australia, to have maintained a forum, such as the one in which we presently engage and correspond.
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It is also worthwhile considering the currently reported position of the majority of people in the most populous country in the world. Would we want to come under that umbrella and regime, or would we wish to defend our right to the freedoms that we currently enjoy.
With My Serious Concern for Freedom and
Appropriate Acknowledgement for Those Who Defend It,
Appendix:
{A}
The Victoria Cross https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/its-honour/victoria-cross The Victoria Cross is the pre-eminent award for acts of bravery in wartime and Australia's highest military honour. It is awarded to persons who, in the presence of the enemy, display the most conspicuous gallantry; a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice; or extreme devotion to duty.
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{B}
Star of Gallantry https://www.pmc.gov.au/government/its-honour/star-gallantry The Star of Gallantry recognises acts of outstanding heroism in action in circumstances of great peril. History Heroic courage by members of a country’s armed forces in action or under fire has long been rewarded with a decoration or award. Australia’s highest-ranking military award is the Victoria Cross for Australia. The Gallantry Decorations were introduced into the Australian honours system on 15 January 1991 by Letters Patent. The Star of Gallantry ranks first in the Gallantry Decorations:
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{C}
Cross of Valour (CV) https://www.ramint.gov.au/cross-valour-cv Summary information The Cross of Valour is awarded only for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril. It is the highest Australian Bravery Decoration and the highest civilian bravery award in Australia. Recipients of this award can use the post nominal CV. The Cross of Valour is an 18ct gold, straight-armed cross with diminishing rays between the arms, ensigned with the Crown of Saint Edward. The obverse of the medal has the shield and crest of the Commonwealth Coat of Arms surmounted by a Federation Star. The cross is surmounted by a gold suspender bar with the raised words FOR VALOUR. The ribbon is magenta with a blood-red central band, symbolising the colours of venous and arterial blood. Since its inception, the Cross of Valour has been awarded only five times. |
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Help us push aside the stigma and discrimination surrounding complex mental health and change the way people talk about, and care for, mental illness.
SANE acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
SANE values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.