Bomber Command Memorial
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Under Capricorn
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Letter below in today's Canberra Times (written in response to a letter published earlier this week)
Don Malcolmson's letter (April 18) makes me sad.
I am the descendent of two members of Bomber Command. My Australian father was a navigator/bomb-aimer of Lancasters and my mother a proud Scottish ordnance deliverer-ambulance driver of Bomber Command. Their generation served, accepted the risks and asked for nothing in return.
They married just after Victory in Europe day and settled in Australia, started their lives together and raised four children. Both are now departed.
It saddens me that if they were still alive they would read a letter such as Malcolmson's.
In his later years, my father sought health support for the damage his body and mind had suffered and endured. His acknowledged hearing loss, among his other disabilities, was questioned by a naive assessor when he was challenged as to why he had not worn his ear protection during his flights over Europe.
It is just as naive, but more insulting, that we can now only support the reunion of six surviving members of Bomber Command without carers for the unveiling of a Bomber Command Memorial in London.
It is a reflection on us all that, given the outrageous perks of office and the largesse that politicians, public servants and private enterprise bestow on themselves, that we treat veterans this way. Malcolmson's recount of the terrible losses and risks faced by these men and women supports the case for assistance.
The Australian people are not that selfish or thankless that they would not support these remaining veterans and their carers. Regrettably, our governments and public servant advisers appear blind to these sacrifices and the needs of these veterans.
If our country is so poor, then let's just ask for this horrendous sacrifice:
■ Every member of Parliament and equivalent in the private sector give up one study tour or conference.
■ Every public servant or business executive who is entitled to first-class or business travel give up one outwards privileged journey and travel economy.
If that couldn't pay for this attendance, I would be stunned.
There are many other ridiculous perks of office that are way outside the grasp of ordinary Australians that could be traded in to pay for these men and women to be there for this dedication.
No sacrifice could be greater than what these brave Australians did for us.
I hope Warren Snowden and his entourage read this and feel some remorse as they tuck into the pointy end nibblies on the way to Europe - Media Release - VA029 -
And Julia Gillard's conscience similarly pricks her as she settles into the 34 SQN VIP aircraft's double bed en route to Gallipoli next week
Don Malcolmson's letter (April 18) makes me sad.
I am the descendent of two members of Bomber Command. My Australian father was a navigator/bomb-aimer of Lancasters and my mother a proud Scottish ordnance deliverer-ambulance driver of Bomber Command. Their generation served, accepted the risks and asked for nothing in return.
They married just after Victory in Europe day and settled in Australia, started their lives together and raised four children. Both are now departed.
It saddens me that if they were still alive they would read a letter such as Malcolmson's.
In his later years, my father sought health support for the damage his body and mind had suffered and endured. His acknowledged hearing loss, among his other disabilities, was questioned by a naive assessor when he was challenged as to why he had not worn his ear protection during his flights over Europe.
It is just as naive, but more insulting, that we can now only support the reunion of six surviving members of Bomber Command without carers for the unveiling of a Bomber Command Memorial in London.
It is a reflection on us all that, given the outrageous perks of office and the largesse that politicians, public servants and private enterprise bestow on themselves, that we treat veterans this way. Malcolmson's recount of the terrible losses and risks faced by these men and women supports the case for assistance.
The Australian people are not that selfish or thankless that they would not support these remaining veterans and their carers. Regrettably, our governments and public servant advisers appear blind to these sacrifices and the needs of these veterans.
If our country is so poor, then let's just ask for this horrendous sacrifice:
■ Every member of Parliament and equivalent in the private sector give up one study tour or conference.
■ Every public servant or business executive who is entitled to first-class or business travel give up one outwards privileged journey and travel economy.
If that couldn't pay for this attendance, I would be stunned.
There are many other ridiculous perks of office that are way outside the grasp of ordinary Australians that could be traded in to pay for these men and women to be there for this dedication.
No sacrifice could be greater than what these brave Australians did for us.
I hope Warren Snowden and his entourage read this and feel some remorse as they tuck into the pointy end nibblies on the way to Europe - Media Release - VA029 -
And Julia Gillard's conscience similarly pricks her as she settles into the 34 SQN VIP aircraft's double bed en route to Gallipoli next week
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Under Capricorn
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Seems the Minister has had a change of heart:
Saturday, 12 May 2012 VA040
INCREASED SUPPORT FOR BOMBER COMMAND VETERANS
Mr Snowdon said the Department of Veterans’ Affairs had undertaken a nomination process for representatives from the Bomber Command veteran community to participate in a commemorative mission to attend the dedication in London.
“The significance of this occasion and the strength of the response from the veteran community has made it clear the usual parameters for a commemorative mission were not going to be sufficient for this occasion,” he said.
“I am pleased to announce the Government will now help more Bomber Command veterans to get to London.”
The eight places originally announced for the official mission party will now be increased to 30 places. A dedicated team including doctors, nurses and RAAF personnel will support the mission.
Further support, including a travel subsidy of $5,000 and assistance to participate in Australian commemorative services, will also be provided for all other Bomber Command veterans who travel independently to attend the dedication.
“Veterans can still apply for a grant facilitated through the RAAF Association to help them get to London,”Mr Snowdon said.
“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is working closely with the Bomber Command Association and the RAAF Association to ensure veterans who are not part of the official mission party receive the advice they need to make their own arrangements to get to London.
“I look forward to announcing the members of the official mission party in the coming weeks and encourage Bomber Command veterans who have not yet nominated for a grant to contact the RAAF Association.”
Some 10,000 Australians airmen served with the Royal Air Force’s Bomber Command during the Second World War. Of these almost 3500 were killed in action and some 650 died in training accidents in the United Kingdom – making the bombing campaign against Germany and Italy Australia’s costliest campaign of the Second World War.
Media inquiries: Minister Snowdon: Lidija Ivanovski orMarcus Butler 02 6277 7820 or 0407108 935 / 0417 917 796
INCREASED SUPPORT FOR BOMBER COMMAND VETERANS
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Warren Snowdon today announced additional support to help more veterans get to London for the dedication of the Bomber Command Memorial on 28 June.
Mr Snowdon said the Department of Veterans’ Affairs had undertaken a nomination process for representatives from the Bomber Command veteran community to participate in a commemorative mission to attend the dedication in London.
“The significance of this occasion and the strength of the response from the veteran community has made it clear the usual parameters for a commemorative mission were not going to be sufficient for this occasion,” he said.
“I am pleased to announce the Government will now help more Bomber Command veterans to get to London.”
The eight places originally announced for the official mission party will now be increased to 30 places. A dedicated team including doctors, nurses and RAAF personnel will support the mission.
Further support, including a travel subsidy of $5,000 and assistance to participate in Australian commemorative services, will also be provided for all other Bomber Command veterans who travel independently to attend the dedication.
“Veterans can still apply for a grant facilitated through the RAAF Association to help them get to London,”Mr Snowdon said.
“The Department of Veterans’ Affairs is working closely with the Bomber Command Association and the RAAF Association to ensure veterans who are not part of the official mission party receive the advice they need to make their own arrangements to get to London.
“I look forward to announcing the members of the official mission party in the coming weeks and encourage Bomber Command veterans who have not yet nominated for a grant to contact the RAAF Association.”
Some 10,000 Australians airmen served with the Royal Air Force’s Bomber Command during the Second World War. Of these almost 3500 were killed in action and some 650 died in training accidents in the United Kingdom – making the bombing campaign against Germany and Italy Australia’s costliest campaign of the Second World War.
Media inquiries: Minister Snowdon: Lidija Ivanovski orMarcus Butler 02 6277 7820 or 0407108 935 / 0417 917 796
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England
Age: 65
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It would be interesting to see by how much these 30 places are over-subscribed?
They should actually read their own press statement, 10,000 served of which, 4,150 died in service making this Australia's costliest commitment to the war.
Not even matching the Kiwi's 50 is a bloody embarassment, great people and country with a fairly savvy government that needs to learn to look back occasionally.
They should actually read their own press statement, 10,000 served of which, 4,150 died in service making this Australia's costliest commitment to the war.
Not even matching the Kiwi's 50 is a bloody embarassment, great people and country with a fairly savvy government that needs to learn to look back occasionally.
