Darkest days

IT IS becoming obvious, without mentioning any potential enemy, we face our darkest days since the Vietnam War.

I dug out my conscription card of the era and pondered on the formal words; “This is to advise that you have been granted indefinite deferment of your liability to render national service, and consequently, under present arrangements, you will not be called up …”

The first national serviceman killed in the conflict was Private Errol Wayne Noack. On an overpass bridge on the Warrego Highway near Ipswich, someone painted his name and the words, “His was not to reason why”.

The “birthday ballot” machine, used to pick one in eight 20 year old men for service, can be seen in the National Service Museum on Philip Island, Victoria.

A major conflict today could involve all capable men between 18-39 years of age, as eventually happened during World War Two. They will not have to reason why.

“Dad’s Army” type remnants like me will miss out on a call-up this time, but our sons aged under 40 will not.

Our world is changing faster than we wish to think about it. Vietnam is now a friend to us, with similar concerns. PETER KNOBEL, Toowoomba