LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

SUPPORT RSL

AS A retired ADF person of 35 years, I am writing this letter in the belief that we, which includes anyone who appreciates what our past and current veterans, have contributed to our lucky country.

What is the RSL? My answer is the RSL is we, the people of Toowoomba, who have served our country and for those whose family members have served also. We are the RSL, (all volunteers) and in the past few years, we have been reticent in becoming involved.

The result, complacency and the slow demise of a very important and necessary facility urgently needed to support our younger veterans.

This reminds me of what JFK said, “It is not what my country can do for me, but what I can do for my country” I think this sums up what has happened to our RSL here in Toowoomba.

We, the members of our RSL offer welfare support, in the form of hospital visits, referral to DVA services, funeral, and bereavement support, a venue for social contact, and a place we can call our own.

What has been forgotten over the years is, and I quote from a recent article of Camaraderie Vol 49 No 3, the unique nature of military service was described as, and Australia is a signatory of the universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 article three that states, “Everybody has the right to life, liberty, and security of person”.

Our ADF men and women do not. Their life, liberty, and security of person are in the hands of the state. That is unique. No other calling, occupation, or profession, including police and emergencies services are required to surrender their rights, although some do so voluntarily.

This has been recognised for years, and the need, was the birth of the RSL in 1916/17.

What has changed? A different era but not a different need. I believe that our ADF personnel need more understanding and support, for the concept of conflict has changed into the 21st centenary, and service is more demanding and stressful.

No longer do we have the public nationalistic fervour, that we, as a country are fighting the identified enemy, as was identified in the first and Second World Wars to contain an enemy that would damage/destroy our Australian understanding of freedom.

Who now guarantees this freedom, our current serving ADF personnel, and do we respect and appreciate what they are achieving?

We do not have grand parades for returning veterans instead, very little recognition or any for our returning ADF personnel. This allows these ADF people to quietly slip back into society, with all the problems and damage they have suffered serving our country.

We must look after our own, and we owe them, and I believe the RSL is the starting place, as it was in the past, and I believe still is, to be active, supportive, and manned by volunteers who understand the problems, the young veterans and their families are experiencing.

If the Toowoomba residents in 1918 could come together and raise the capital to build the Soldiers Memorial Hall, surely we, in 2018, can raise our hands and become the RSL that provides the support, which is needed, for our 2018 veterans.

If you are interested and want to make a difference, a meeting is being held on Friday, August 10 at 4pm at the Toowoomba RSL hall.

Any person interested and prepared to be counted as one, who cares for our veteran community and their families, and wants to assist and ensure the longevity of our RSL, please attend. (Between 4pm and 7pm). There will be an overview presented of what, us, the remaining few, are trying to do, against all odds.

The time of talking, criticising, and waiting for someone else to volunteer is gone. It is now your time to act. The Toowoomba RSL needs your support. ROLAND THOMPSON, vice president Toowoomba United RSL Sub Branch

CASHLESS SOCIETY

FRIENDS, more talk arises about the introduction of a cashless society. First, what will the cost be? We all know there is millions and millions of black money in and our of circulation.

You can bet London there will be no cashless society introduction before the big boys and

you know who, will have worked out how to duck and dive around this society.

Your friendly atheist agnostic heathen jewel.

ALAN MARSHALL, Toowoomba