Afghanistan Combat Flag

[Baddad]

I've been away for a few days with work. I arrived home to find a parcel. Inside was an Aussie Flag. Posted from the other side of the Globe. Puzzled, I further searched and found a certificate.

The goose bumps hit I was just in awe. A gift from my pilot son.
I eventually thawed from my frozen status and sent him an email.

"This is going straight to the pool room!"

I blanked out the names for my own peace of mind. Security concious.

Cheers

[OICURMT]

Ok... that's cool!

[Larryp]

Something nice to keep and take pride in, Marty! These sort of things get passed on from generation to generation.:)

[blink138]

we have such a beautiful flag!
we may vote it out one day
pat

[traveller]

Yep, one for the pool room alright...
Bo

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Awsome ! .
Brian.

[Baddad]

Not easy finding a suitable spot to hang a big flag. The framing of the certificate is easy enough.:)

My Son is an Australian but has USA citizenship. He is the pilot nearest to the photographer (at the front) Too dark to see him.:)

Cheers and thanks for responding. Its quite special to me also that you people recognise these soldiers are taking the fight away from both American and Australian shores.

[taminga16]

Marty,
There is not a day of mine without a thought for your son and others. My boys are doing other stuff now and I am of that age and I shudder to think.
Gregory.

[JethroB76]

A proud moment to be sure Marty!

[wavelandscott]

What a nice thing to treasure!

[clive milne]

Marty... as a student of history, for the life of me I cannot recall a single instance of Afghani military (or terrorist) aggression against American or Australian civilians within the shores of the countries of America or Australia.

[Chif]

That's awesome!

[Baddad]

Obviously its successful strategy

Cheers

[clive milne]

Marty, you are going to have to elaborate if you expect us to accept that the military engagement in Afghanistan is in any way a success story.

All I see is a pile of dead people measured in the tens (if not hundreds) of thousands, hundreds of billions of dollars flushed down the drain that could have been spent better else where, a complete society destroyed and set on the path of spiteful retribution at best, the empowerment of two of the least desirable political entities in the region ie) the Taliban and their equally loathsome adversaries who are in fact the biggest drug (heroin) traffickers in the world.

None of this had any legitimate, moral or legal justification whatsoever.

We were not threatened by any of these people or their political affiliations before the war, but by virtue of our actions, we most certainly are now.

Individuals at the highest level within our own defence forces warned the federal government that the basis for this war was unjustified and would only serve to empower negative sentiments against us. In short it we were being used as a political and military proxy.

Furthermore, research has shown that more than 96% of islamic militants in Afghanistan and Iraq today exist BECAUSE of western interference in their respective countries.

ie) Even if you believe all the bs about the non-existant WMD's and global terror networks... even if we killed every single one of the alleged perpetrators, for every one that is killed... on average 2 innocent civilians die, and you create 20 more jihadis.

This may make you feel some sense of national pride but in reality it is nothing more than an exercise in sowing dragon's teeth.

[clive milne]

But hey,
It's not all bad news...
At least we have managed to make the heroin trade in Burma and Laos unprofitable...

nothing like market pressure.

130745

[Astro_Bot]

That's a great gift, Marty. Something to treasure.

[Larryp]

Clive, the problem was Afghanistan was being used as a training area for Al-Quaeda, and we all remember their actions, aided and abetted by the Taliban. If military action was not taken, god knows what other acts of terror would have been perpetrated by now.

[Shark Bait]

A very fine gift that can be displayed with pride Marty. :thumbsup:

Mali has hit the news headlines recently Clive. Should militants be allowed to carry out their agendas unchecked? It's so easy to be critical, but what would you suggest as a solution to the problems that you have mentioned?

Lets hope that the lives lost have not been in vain and that those with extreme ideologies do not regain control after the allies withdraw.

[Varangian]

God help us in the future now that military action has been taken:rolleyes:

Look I'm not critical and all the best for your son, but for someone who has been all through the war memorabilia collection thing and fairly intensive study of the great commanders of history from Hannibal to Rommel, I have come out the other end loathing war and all it stands for including war trophies. I understand why we are there, but god help us let's stop glorifying it in the name of mindless national patriotism.

[Larryp]

Are you suggesting the West should have done NOTHING after 9/11?
If you have an alternative, what is it?
The fact is, wars are started by politicians/religious leaders and fought by soldiers, whose duty it is to follow orders,whether they personally agree or not. These are brave men and women who put their lives on the line to do a job.
Marty justifiably feels pride in his son and the mementos his son has sent him. The reasons for the war don't come into that.
If people want to express their anti-war views, then start a separate thread.

[theodog]

:shrug:This post is not about national policy, but the pride of a father in his son having done a difficult job under difficult circumstances.



My partners son returned from a RAR tour intact. We feel your pride Marty. Well done to you and your son.:thumbsup:

[Baddad]

To Laurie and others who have responded positively, I thank you for your kind posts.
To those who wish to make this thread something it was not intended for, please take your posts to another thread.

Memorabilia is always a special thing and the aim of this thread is to share the emotions with those who are tuned in.

Cheers

[JethroB76]

Agree Marty - another thread hijacked by someone with an OT bee in their bonnet

[Ric]

A wonderful piece of memorabilia Marty, definitely something to be proud of.

[Baddad]

:) I received a PM from a member. He is apologetic and I do accept that. I also respect that person for the PM.
Sometimes things can get a little out of hand. This time all is well.
Thankyou for your PM and concern. Although I did not believe he had to go to the extent of deleting his posts. The PM was sufficient.

To those who have had friends or loved ones perform active service. You know the feelings and the anxiety that we endue.

Cheers :) And a special thanks to rcheshire.

[Varangian]

Nope. I said I understand the war, I don't agree with war trophies. I'm not anti-war but I am anti-glorifying war. War is politics is war as Clausewitz said and I understand that. Simple. There's a difference. And absolutely at times I should learn to keep my opinions to myself and I am trying to get better at this. Anyway, to the benfit of all, I'm out.

[bobson]

Sorry Marty but you brought it on yourself with your second message:



With this comment some people felt they need to say something about it, can you blame them?

Then Laurie:



He is calling others to open separate thread after what he said above?

Of course there will be some people who don't feel nor think like you do. But if you kept it out of politics like it was at the beginning then you wouldn't get those responses.

cheers