Perhaps spare a thought today!!

Submitted: Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 11:20
ThreadID: 50380 Views:2767 Replies:5 FollowUps:5
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A young Aussie soldier was killed today in Afghanistan in service of his country.
Perhaps we can all spare 60 seconds today to think about those men and women who assist us to maintain our way of life.

A sad day for all Australians.
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Reply By: Member - Jeff H (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 11:51

Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 11:51
Yes John. Have lost two Explosive Detection Dogs in the recent past also. (Plus two more in E. Timor).

Our empathy to Families and Mates.

Lest We Forget.

Jeff.

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Follow Up By: QLD Kev - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 13:18

Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 13:18
The Dog handlers at the School of Military Engineering (Home of the Sapper) are currently building a memorial for the 2 dogs that were killed.

Cheers Kev
Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Reply By: DIO - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 12:45

Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 12:45
Yep, soldiering certainly has it's risks.
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Follow Up By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 13:42

Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 13:42
Hi All

SOME MOTHERS SON
SOME FATHERS BEST MATE
SOME SWEET HEARTS SOUL MATE

Daza.
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Reply By: QLD Kev - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 15:52

Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 15:52
The following may mention England but there is a verse that we all should know.
All my wife can say is "thank god your getting discharged"

For The Fallen

With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.

Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables at home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.

Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

RIP Trooper David Pearce

Kev



Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Reply By: Member - barbara M (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 16:29

Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007 at 16:29
As a mum of a young soldier my heart skipped a beat when I heard last night. My heart goes out to his, wife, children and parents along with his family of army mates. Was speaking to my son who leaves for Iraq in six weeks and it has had an impact on him. The members of the defence force do a great job and are so patriotic towards their country, and they deserve our respect.
I just keep telling myself they are all well trained and they could come to as much trouble in a car accident.
We all need to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
Barb
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Reply By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 at 22:26

Wednesday, Oct 10, 2007 at 22:26
I have not been on EO for a few days and thought hard before I responded on this thread when I saw it.

The soldiers name was David Pearce. He was a great bloke and my wife's brother. His beautiful daughters (our nieces) are like grandchildren to us.

Apart from stalking our homes for photo opportunities, we admire the media for their handling of this story. But I want David's story to be told as he was such a great father and an inspiration to others who have come through the 'School of Hard Knocks'. The media has generally only covered snippets of this so far.

My only means of doing this at the moment is by posting this link to press conference today where I sought to tell something of his story.
Trooper David Pearce
If you choose to look at it, thank you. If not that's OK too.

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Follow Up By: Member - John (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:10

Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 01:10
Norm I don't know what to say, I never dreamed that when I posted this thread it would be on a topic that would end up being directed so closely to someone on here.

When I saw the news about the loss of David (I did not even know his name at that point as it had not been released) I just felt that I had to mention it to someone so I posted it on here and hoped that others may read this thread and just spare a few seconds of their busy day to devote a thought to him and his family as well as the other men and women serving our country.

I watched the news tonight and saw your interview, again never dreaming that I "knew" you but admired the way you had spoken about David and his family. You made me feel that I had known him.
I just watched your link again with tears in my eyes.

I don't know what else to say except that I am deeply sorry for your families loss and my thoughts will continue to remain with you and David's family.
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Follow Up By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 08:43

Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 08:43
Norm,

Not much to say that can help you and the family at this time. Sorry. When our thoughts should be about David and his family, it amazes me how so many people take the opportunity to jump on their soapbox and voice their opposition to our involvement in these conflicts; very poor form. I think that General Dick Cavazos put it best when he said:

"And damn those who debunk courage, valor, fidelity, love of country, and love of home, family, hopes and dreams for a better tomorrow. Our soldiers give up much that others may live - not only in freedom but even in luxury. They deserve our great, great gratitude and affection because they are willing to serve. They are some of God's noblest people."

Our thoughts are with you all.

Matt.
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 17:03

Thursday, Oct 11, 2007 at 17:03
Norm,

My condolences to David's and your family. We owe David and others like him in the armed forces a debt we can never hope to repay.


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