I'm on my Way - Friday

The trip to Sydney was uneventful. I was on an aisle seat so I didn't get to see much but I did strike up a conversation with the bloke next to me, John someone or another. He wasn't a vet, yet he says that he'd worked closely with them since and was going to see mates from the past.

At Sydney I walked miles it felt just to get out for a cigarette!!! Then I hit the Airport Pub!! Not the lounge or saloon but the bar. There was a lack of seats already so I asked some bloke who seemed to be on his own, if he minded me sitting at his table. Well that started my whole weekend.

Paul was a vet and we talked and talked and he bought me drinks and the next thing I knew there's many more faces, many more names and a couple more drinks and I was in!! It felt good, and I was more relaxed now with a sense of "one of ..." Straight away I have been made to feel as if I'm with them, part of them and definitely part of the whole weekend. Most of them didn't say much about Vietnam except when and where they were there, what unit, and what the Memorial meant for them.

I felt very deflated when they had to leave to catch their own flights - half hour difference so I finished my drink and let the feeling sink in. God bro I wish you were here with me. I laughed with these people I have never met before and somehow I felt that they were all MY old friends that I was here to meet.

On the plane again and now my apprehension was really starting to hit me. Even though I have met some of the vets, the weekend is HERE, the event is HERE. My schooling is just starting and my past is hitting me full in the face. As much as I was scared, I loved it all and am soaking everything up that I can.

As you know, Dad's call sign was "Cherry Top", now that didn't have anything to do with his hair colour (mentioned often that my colour is the same as his when his beard grew which was often). The name came from the fact that the Training Team wore green berets and Dad kept on insisting to wear his Burgundy/cherry coloured one and for that there was a lot of respect shown.

The comradiere between these fellows was very strong and it felt nice to be made so welcomed by them. All of them asked me to keep in touch and to make a point of catching up with them at any gathering but especially Anzac Days. I told them that in Adelaide and any other times, I'd been refused to march with the Team by the Marshalls. You should've heard the uproar. "That's a disgrace, it should'nt be allowed to be!!" So bro, know that if you want to turn up anywhere for Anzac Day we have only to mention that we've been given permission from the Team to be allowed to march in their place or with them in Dad's instead of at the rear with the well-wishers.

By 8.30 many started to head towards the park and I decided to go and have a look around to see who I could find. I ran into Shaz and family and stuck with them for the rest of the morning. It was funny because another photographer asked to take shots of us two with the kids and the flags, also of the kids and us with a couple of the motorcyclists. Afterward Rob took my bag and the kids moving to the Parade to go get their seats so Shaz and I were on our own. I really enjoyed this time with her. We seem to get along well and I hope that we shall this time stay in touch.

We roamed around and talked to HEAPS of people. Some from the Team, some from other units that either one of us had already met, and plenty that we hadn't yet.

As we started to move off, I felt a thrill go through my whole body. I guess everyone did, especially those that had not made it to the Sydney Home Coming. The feeling that hit me as we turned the corner to start down Anzac Parade was definitely a spititual one which nearly took me by surprise. People were lined up everywhere even before we turned the bend, clapping and seeing us off with cheers etc. But when that turn actually came it was so over-whelming, it was unbelievable. There were literally hundreds, thousands of people lining this LONG road that we were to march down. Everything seemed now to become so public, so exposed. The applause was deafening and lasted so long. As we, the N.O.K.moved off I saw officials and other vets clapping too. They were clapping us along, giving us their strength and yet we were here for them too. I guess that's what thd whole weekend meant for me and others - we were here for ourselves yet there was so much that we had to give for everyone else.

When the Hewies went over that was it. The lump in my chest and my throat had been held there by sheer will power and when the choppers flew past the thump of the rotors was felt in all of our bodies. It started at my feet and straight away I knew that I was going to lose my composure as it reached my stomach and chest, I just could not hold back the tears. They spilled over so fast and it was in a way quite a relief to let the feeling of being chocked, go. The bloke next to me, a vet with his mate's flag, put his arm over my shoulders and told me that it was okay. The compassion of these people has been so beautiful anxd quick to be extended to anyone and everyone.

The "eyes-right" at the Memorial sobered me up heaps. I could see both Anita and Paul Keating and before I could stop myself I was saying, "Well I wont be voting for them next year." They stood there so stonily that it was as if they were there under sufferance. And we were at the beginning of the Parade. Everyone laughed and we then enjoyed ourselves, waving and cheering to the crowd.

By the end of the march I wished that it went further regardless of the tears, etc. Shaz and I gave her husband our flags and ran hard. Next of Kin had a general invitation to march with their KIA's unit and the AATTV were only 2 spots behind us but we managed to get there and march about 50 metres with them. The difference in the emotion was so great compared to marching with the N.O.K. They laughed with us, yelled out to people in the street, chatted, joked and generally included us two. As it was we were only 2 of 4 to march with the Team and the N.O.K. contingent. Later that night so many of the Team expressed how pleased they were that we made the effort to be with them, to support them too and how it made their day that we marched in our father's places.
For the next hour and a half I stood alone, yet not, at the rails applauding the rest of the troops through. I had quite a few people yell out to me, some even by name - men I had met at Sydney Airport, the only time all weekend that I was to see them again but the thought of them brings a smile to my face.

God my hands were sore but I wasn't going to let up. I was here for them too and I was not going to leave thinking that I'd not helped bring them all home.

Some of those men that I saw, amazing pride and strength. They all walked so proudly, their heads held high and most of them in such a good, light mood. There was one older bloke that couldn't make the march and he was taken away on the back of one of the Vietnam Veteran's Motorcycle club boy's bike. There were so many that were disabled and needed a wheelchair or cane to help themselves through. They did this as proudly as the rest of them if not more so

One bloke in particular I will never forget. He was thin and his hair was unruly and he definitely looked like he was one of the many that I was to meet who'd come outa the woodwork for this day. He had such a nervous tic that it shook his whole body and interferred with his very step but he kept going no matter what. He showed to me what courage some of these men had taken to get here, to march, and for some just to plain be amongst people again after so many years of living on the outer.

From where I was standing, looking over to the other side of the road, I could see Ross Buchan and a few other team members. I'd already as I said spoken with the Team, including Wallaby but for some reason I'd a hard time taking my eyes off this small group. For ages they stood there forever calling out to so many men that they knew with such beautiful and genuine smiles on their faces. They seemed to know someone (or many) from each and every unit that passed. To watch this brought home hard how much Dad would have achieved if only he'd lived. Again I found myself quite close to tears, but I held onto my flag and took strength from all that was around me.  You know, I swear that I saw Dad standing there with them. Ross right from the start reminded me, gave me the impression that he was a similar kind of man as Dad and to watch this made me feel that if Dad was alive, he wouldn've been there for sure amongst these men today.

The time was passing on and I knew that I had to start moving up towards the War Memorial to meet up with my ride.

As I walked up this sea of people, I walked proud and tall. As I said before, even though at times I went around on my own whether I had the flag with me or not, I had my badge on and people recognized straight away that I was NOK - so I was NEVER alone.

I wasn't allowed to get far anyway as I ran into Marie at the grand stand with her daughter. They were yelling out for me to join them and I'm glad I did. They're such lovely people, warm and enveloping. The weekend hasn't just been filled with people talking about Dad, but telling me about Mum too. It was good.

When the South Vietnam delegate came down the road I moved toward the barriers knowing that the bikes were going to be next.

On appearence the South Vietnamese had so much discipline compared to many units and when they reached the end of the march, they stopped in formation and counted down in their native language. When they were dismissed they moved straight to the barriers shaking hands with so many people, expressing their thanks and to those of us carrying flags, we got an express of sorrow, telling us how sorry they were for our losses. All NOK got a really nice letter from them too.

Then came the bikes.... So far I'd only met one or two and everytime that I saw a VVMC member I kept thinking how was I going to find the time let alone manage to pass on Skip's messages. You should have heard the uproar when they started coming down the road. The atmosphere around all of us was already charged but with the roar of the bikes, and knowing that this was the final unit to march - or in this case, ride - down the Parade, the feelings esculated even more. It was such a wild feeling. The whistles, the cheers were louder, everything seemed more pronounced this time and I'm not kidding, but it was like a pressure valve going off.

After two hours of applause, my hands were stinging but I felt like I had done my job. I had helped to welcome home every trooper through, helped every Vet there and those that weren't to come home. My heart by this stage was swollen to bursting point. By the time the bikes were through there was a feeling of success in me - I believed that we all had achieved in fulfilling every aspect of the weekend - that our own goals and the Nation's goals had been dealt with today. I felt a part of these people and the weekend and it was nice to belong somewhere for the first time in my life. It is a strange feeling to be alone and yet not be so at all and belonging to a crowd of 70 odd thousand.

I have always been like a butterfly visiting one group to another, having friends from each group without truly belonging. Now for the very first time, I have worked out where I do belong. I have found the people who I feel that I can affiliate myself too - a common ground. These people that I am newly associated, their friendship although just beginnning, is filling me, putting me onto a whole new destination - something I'd always known would happen.

I continued to walk up the Parade carrying my flag, my shoulders back and head held high. I was walking taller than I ever had. This is how I carried myself for the whole weekend and as I looked around, I noticed that there were so many others who walked in the same manner. I don't believe that it was just the march even though some of these people had limps, tics, disabilities, etc - EVERYONE was so proud of this occassion. All weekend people looked forward to tomorrow, needing today we talked to one and all.  I noticed also, that everyone spoke while looking people in the eye, not one person felt the need to "look away".

I was greeted by perfect strangers. "How're ya going? So glad to see you here!" as they vigorously shook my hand, often not wanting to let go. The whole atmosphere was totally head spinning. It was great having a licence to talk to as many people as I pleased, to whomever I wanted, when I liked. It was overwhelming being able to mention "Vietnam" so often without argument, debate or hushing.

People seemed to think it was absolutely fantastic that I'd come so far to be here and that I did so by myself. It was as if this fact alone made their warmth much more pronounced, extra special as "this girl" came so far with none to accompany her so she could do her bit for the Vets and her father. In a way I guess they all wanted to be there in my Dad's stead as my chaperone.

As I waited on the lawns of the War Memorial, my first moment of quiet in hours, I still had people coming up to talk - a middle aged couple called out comments about how they were going to join me as I looked so contented but look around as I was on candid camera. There I was being filmed by others, what a blast. Again a feeling of being included amongst the many who participated today.

Speaking to the Vietnamese was more difficult as their accents were quite thick yet I found their conversation interesting. Most had come over from Vietnam for the weekend and they kept expressing their desire for better dealings between the two countries, especially in relation to the children that were fathered by our men. There was no bitterness expressed just a desire and our talk was not all political.

Back home to my billotting and tiredness was hitting me - the other lady sharing the billot hasn't really been too involved with events, spending her evenings quite happily in a lounge chair watching the happenings on the tv. She didn't even bring her brother's flag.  Each unto their own I guess.

Ian McQuire's wife and son picked me up for the Team Dinner and even in the car the atmosphere was tingling. The dinner itself wasn't as good as Friday night probably because it was more formal and many spent their time at the tables rather than intermingling. Many too had to leave early the next day to travel unfortunately.

Shaz and I were very much still on a high though talking with everyone and anyone. Shaz was at the Sydney Home Coming and had a lot to do with the VVA and the Counselling service, so I found her a great  source of information too.

I heard many stories tonight from many women, dependents and widows, and how they believe that our men's soul have been reincarnated or soon will be. Maybe this war that "never was" really was God's way to make people's attitudes change, for us all to see new things that we would never have considered otherwise. The 60's and 70's were the years that New Age philosophy came about again. I don't agree with everything or with much of the protests and antagonism but that's what this weekend is all about = Showing the world that after 20 years we will be the first to lead the way to reform and to admit our mistakes. Time to repair the damaged opinions, to kick the critics up the ass and to show the politicians that the time is overdue for their help. The march, the Memorial itself and definitely not the dedication speeches can be the Government's "kiss off". It has to be the beginning of the aid and understanding. This point of view is common amongst all that I talked to.

Everyone was in good spirits, which may have to do with the wine carafe on the tables and plenty of chinese food. All talk seemed to be about the day rather than the past, so I'm glad that I turned up last night as I probably wouldn't have got to know as much about Dad as I did.

I met Sir John and his wife - patrons of the AATTV, Richard Rieter from the American Special Forces, Keith Payne and Peter Poulton and so many more. All of them expressed their sympathy and well wishes for the family. These were only SOME of the big wigs this "girl" was to meet.

All night Ian McQ and Ross asked if I'm still being looked after. How could I not? With so many men and women telling me about themselves, asking me questions and introducing me to more people than I could hope to remember all their names, how on earth could I not be looked after?

I went around getting signatures of those that particularly knew Dad. I guess I believed that no matter what I wanted, I wouldn't see them again after this night. Garth Hughes, the president of the Team Association, is a nice bloke and has taken my address to put me on the mailing list. They're all pretty pissed off that I found out about the Dedication Weekend through other avenues, swearing that it wont happen again. Their words! I've been invited, many times over, to attend their birthday bash, to visit the HQ in Melbourne and the memorial in Queensland. I've also been invited by people here, there and everywhere around Australia to visit. Even Richard expressed his help if I get to the States from him and the other S.F. boys.

Shaz and family, Wallaby and myself were one of the last to leave - who else heh? When I went back to Shaz's for coffee, the two of us just talked and talked. I was especially surprised to learn that she too has had hassles over the years dealing with her relationship with her Mother, just like me and that she's quite venomous when thinking of her Dad. Her bro walked around Friday and Saturday morning with his Dad's medals but refused to march - apparantly he's got flat feet. He refused to come to the dinner for some reason.  I'm not judging here just telling my story of the weekend.

It's been a long day. I didn't end up getting home to the wee hours and it's taking forever to unwind - to come down off my high. So many things happening and so many faces to remember that it's all swimming around my head. I feel like there is an "air" around me though. That my life has changed, is in the process of changing. Very insureal.

My heart's spinning with the reality of all that's gone on. I've been longing for this weekend my whole life and my expectations were so high. How many people told me prior not to get my hopes up? They were all wrong - I GOT EVERYTHING THAT I ASKED FOR AND MORE.

I've met people who have nothing to do with Dad but just as much to do with the War. There were many stories about the Salvos and the respect that the serviceman has for them; about how R & R was so important and the mischief they got up to. I honestly heard more stories than I could remember.

Tonight's over and my heart honestly feels as if it's glowing. Can't you feel the heat? Everywhere I went today I found pieces of my past and met people to put into my future and that is a wonderful feeling, a healthy feeling. I must be blessed to wait all these years to finally become involved with this Canberra weekend. I don't exactly know how, but I know that I shall never be the same person again after this. Things inside of me have changed and I can feel it so strongly. I can feel this with the very beat of my heart.

Sunday

My last official function was the Duntroon Service and rain threatened everything. So many "big wigs" here and most of us had to stand. Sitting in front of me were the two young Vietnamese representatives for their NOK. As I was watching them I was remembering how as a kid I honestly thought I "was" prejudiced against the Vietnamese. Funny how sometimes we don't get what we want but thank God later that we didn't. My prejudgism changed my final year in school when as the only person understand any Vietnamese (because of my obsession of course) I had a girl put under my care.  She too was a victim of the war and I learnt real quick that it was the politicians that I'm angry at not the individual people of a nation.

I felt Dad so closely with me today. It was as though through the service he was standing sort of left and behind me. A couple times his hand would touch my shoulder as if as a gentle reminder not to fidget. He felt so beautiful, so real and pure that for the first time I really believed that it was time for him to go, to be let free; for me to give up past hurts and to start planning my future. It was definitely at this moment when my past slammed into my future and for me to grow; to let it all go. There is still things that need to be dealt with but these will be done with less bitterness, anger and as a healing process.

There was a digger sitting in a wheelchair directly to my left. Every now and then I would see the "biggies" sitting/standing as instructed in their front row seats through the service. I'd look back to this bloke, front then back vowing to myself that they must be paid their dues. This service and yesterday's march can not be just for this weekend, ending here. It must be the beginning of the continuing aid.

As the service finished all the officials, the 12 clergymen and the invited hierachy once again stood to leave. The wheelchair bound digger could not rise but looked at me and said, "Now it can rain!" It did - all over these people.

By 2pm I was back in town changed into civvies ready for the concert at the Old Parliament House grounds.

Walking into Old Parliament House itself was like walking into Jesus's temple, like the movie - this quiet house of respect was full of hawkers and people wanting your money, the noise was quite over-whelming. I couldn't believe the amount of people packed in. And the stuff for sale; I could've gone berserk if I'd had more dough on me. There were things everywwhere - badges, wine bottles, flags, t-shirts, posters, badges and more badges. And the press photos of which was the reason for me being in there.

Going past the press displays brought back these fresh memories. Memories that were only a day or two old and already they were setting the mood for further reflections. Others were standing there (all of us jostled by those who were impatient) and I believe that they were feeling much like me.  It was so crowded in this hall that was use to being held in awe. I don't believe the old girl had seen quite so many people within her walls.

Looking at the photos sent feelings through me that were still pretty new and raw. Tears were springing to my eyes when I really didn't want them there today, not now. My official business was over, my Dedication had been done on behalf of my family and I wanted to go to the grounds today for myself and my future; not my past and here was such recent past memories already intruding. Looking around I saw others that looked like they were trying to get a grip on themselves too.

I didn't have far (in the torential rain) to go to the front of the stage area - there were over 10,000 people partying in a huge storm. I couldn't see anyone vaguely familiar so I went back to the stage front for a better look. There was a large blue tarp set up crowded out with younger locals dominating underneath. I wasn't far behind (with plenty of space around me as I was standing in the middle of a monster puddle that most were avoiding) when the rain broke the hold of the tarp and all these "poor" people got washed. Me and many vets nearby laughed as we felt it deserving - there were many vets etc especially those in wheelchairs who should've had the right to be up front.

I watched a couple acts, including "Big Pretzel" who did a go-go routine in the costume she'd used in Vietnam. It didn't cover much. Apparently she'd been in Nam with 7 RAR and had one of the boys on stage then, so once again she got a vet from the same lot back up on stage. Absolutely bloody funny. He had his pants from the bottom pulled up, grass skirt over that, stomper boots, biggggg belly and this tiny red bikini thing with its own tassles.

You should have seen him move. Pretzel was able to swing one tit at a time causing her tassles to twirl like a helicopter rotor. Then the other and then both in opposite directions; and here was the digger trying to follow her lead. It was honestly one of the funniest things that i'd seen in a long time.

Another brief look around to find anyone I knew when I decided what the heck. "It was my time." I'd done all that stuff for me, Dad, and the family and felt that i'd done well; that everyone would've been proud of my representation. Now, solely it was time for me. I've got my style clothes on, no services I needed to be at so I needed a beer! First one for the weekend, I knew it was time to act myself for myself.

So off to a beer tent I trot and did that first one go down fast. When I saw some of the VVMC boys, I thought that now was the perfect opportunity to put more effort into finding some of the SA Chapter lads to pass along Skip's messages. As much as I liked all these people I'd met so far, it was time for me to find my "own" kind amongst the many who were already adopting me. I felt secure in the knowledge that I'd asked just that thing off Dad before I went to sleep this morning and that it would happen.  I felt safe.

I'd already asked a couple bikers the day before of the whereabouts of SA boys but it really hadn't been the right time, especially in relation to my itinary. The first lot today I talked to were from the States. They actually asked me if I wanted to go to Alice with them. They were so wrapped to be here and full of praise for the Australian MC boys who'd looked after them.

So off I wandered again just talking away with people, walking through puddles (which I could do with boots on now). I heard one woman behind me say, "If I catch you doing that, you're in trouble".  As I turned there's this lady telling her kids not to follow my example. Only then did I realise that I'd walked through yet another monster puddle. The kids wanted to as well and I could only smile and shrug my shoulders at them.

More lads and more lads but non the SAus boys. Then I met a bloke called Growler from Vic Chapter and ended up having a drink with him, Sparsky and Mad Dog amongst others. Now that I'd stayed put, the SA boys found me - apparently it had got around already that some chick was looking for them, finally I got to pass the messages along.

Talking to Sparsky and Ernie was a total laugh. It was bloody cold and wet (remember '92 was the only time Bathurst was cancelled and we were partying in the same storm) but they're pissed and standing there with just t-shirts. They didn't care, none cared. Conversation went on the lines of how women were offering their bodies all weekend and yet they did the decent thing by refusing. Smart comments went back and forth between us. Upon learning that I was representing my AATTV father, they all decided that was why I could handle myself, explaining how I could be in Canberra on my own. Sparsky had been Team himself but had spent the weekend with his original unit - alot of men had this choice to make i noticed.

Looking around at the people was interesting in itself let alone enjoying the concert. There were so many from different walks of life and I was having a ball. People were singing away together, greeting who ever, lots of hugs and plenty of smiles and cheer to go round ten times.

This was definitely one of the happiest and most carefree days I've had for I don't know how long. The whole weekend has been mine and to watch everyone else let their hopes and fears come out was like a dream come true. I was reminded of a Melanie song about how we go in the same direction, we share the same back yard and how if she could gather everyone in the same room we would see just this. We were in the same room and we enjoyed each others company regardless of status, race, sex or age.

Everyone was there for different reasons but those of us there specifically for the Dedication had an opportunity to let go all the hurt, anxiety and even just the stress of the weekend's formalities. We were able to let go of the rotten stuff and let in the good. We may all have been affected by the War in some way for all this time but today we were together to share in a memory of a happier moment in time, to make it all an easier time in life to bear.

Hardly anybody talked aobut the tough times, the horrors - it was all about the jokes they pulled, how many times they "got away with it" and their charge sheets, etc. These were the things now that we need to think about.

John Schumann came onto the stage then and everything changed. Men were crying, and people were now quite sober, all hugging or holding someone. "Only 19" is DEFINITELY the Vet's own song. Apart from some of the local yobbo's, everyone was pulled together with eyes to the stage. If I was anywhere else I would cever have cried because of a song. Hiding your head and discreetly getting rid of the tears composing yourself would've been more the norm. I've never really seen men openly hug each other, some kissing, with tears and open honest emotion.  Here were these grown men and the rest of us letting our hearts be open.

We were wet, some wearing garbage bags, plastic wrap for ponchos or with bits hanging out the back of hats to keep the rain off, others with red ink running down their faces looking like blood. Talk about a motley bunch and here's me standing with a whole pack of bikers now - trust me.

I let it out how I'd had all this room before so we moved to the very front of the stage. Well we thought we'd take the same advantage of this as we all had boots on and ended up with the best spot to watch the end of the show.

Things changed for me then. I could tell that this was it, my destiny had changed. I was amongst a crowd that I finally felt at home with. Finally.

I was behind a fella in a wheelchair who I was helping to bop along with the music by holding up the front of his chair and chatter, g'days and slingoffs were going back and forth from those on stage to us (and so were the beer cans). I loved it.

I guess we all knew in a way that things were ending and the spirits did join and be as one in our final send off. Everyone was standing up and out of the tents, pouring out of the Parliament house for the last section of the concert, even the rain stopped now . It was our final chance to say welcome home all those that had been in Nam, showing our continual support, to be as one with those here this weekend.

By the time all the artists come back on stage, the crowd was in such a happy, frenzied mood. I never saw one scuffle through the whole weekend and definitely not today. It was all about mateship!

For those that gathered later, it was a time for reflection, to talk openly and honestly about the weekend and what was seen, done and thought of. The healing has started and now it is up to us to use it in whichever way is needed.

Monday - Feeling totally sated I was on my way home

As I flew home the next morning I was going over everything, feeling very drained. The two ladies next to me had been in Canberra for a son and brother. We chatted and remarked about how lovely a weekend it'd been and how alive everything seemed to be. Expense did not seem to be a problem for most. Not today anyway, "We'll worry about that later" attitude. Damn I even sold my antiques to pay for this. Nothing mattered except being positive about the War, to kiss our loved ones, our mates goodbye and to acknowledge a misjustice against those that came home.

This flight was via Melbourne this time and by now I was completely wacked and wanting only to get home. I sat in the lounge waiting area and zoned out, until I heard the 11AM program on the TV mentioning the Dedication. That's when I remembered that it was Monday and I'd not watched a single thing on the box for days, not even about the Reunion.

As I'd been sitting with my back to the TV, I stood and turned. My eyes completly transfixed on the screen and I'd blocked out everything around me except the screen's images. The feelings that went through me, I find hard to explain. I was still aware that I was at the airport, that I was standing but I felt that my spirit was in that TV screen. It wasn't a short report, went on for 30 minutes so I was obsorbed in the programme - I had been there and that pleased me no end and as the report changed to another part of the Dedication weekend I followed with my heart. I'd been there!!!! This was all about me and the very people I'd shared so much with.

I felt proud for that and I'd like to think that it has helped me deal with a lota of shit. I was standing there blessing all those that helped me get there. I wished that there had been a way for everyone to have had the opportunity to go.

When the program finished, I looked down for a moment 'til I remembered that I was standing in a public place so I sat again, looking around as I did so. What a complete surprise to realise that there were all these people looking at me. Our plane had been delayed by now there were now quite a few waiting. I'm not sure what I saw in their faces but it wasn't scorn, not any of the smart arse shit that used to come hand in hand with the subject of Vietnam. Maybe things will change, maybe people's attitudes are changing already  if the look on these people's faces who were NOT at Canberra is anything to go by - hopefully that means that finally we have won our war.

Well Bro, this is my story. With the weekend over I knew with a certainty that I'd just flown home to the start of my new future and that of Snow's grandson too. I knew that it could only get better, that I've finally been given an opportunity to bury my past. I hope I captured everything for you and you enjoy the reading.

Love you