As my Grandfather and my Father promised to you, you Australien’s will never be alone in any fight in this world as long as one of us Yank Marines can draw a breath….
When I was in Qatar almost 20 years ago there was an international bar on base that sported flags from every coalition country that was helping us in Iraq. A party was being thrown for reasons I don't recall, but there was an Aussie standing on the bar with a microphone, acting as MC and telling one joke after another. I looked around the room and marveled at the laughter and comradery that existed, knowing that only two generations earlier some of them would have been fighting the rest of us to death. But never the Aussies. The Second World War formed a bound between our two nations that stands to this day. I pray it is never broken.
Fought with our wonderful Australian allies in Vietnam. To this day I would stand beside anyone of them in a fight. God Bless Australia. God bless the United States.
Lest We Forget our hero comrades who fought with us in the 173 Airborne Bde. Vietnam! Proud to say I fought with the greatest warriors ever known! The Cape Cod Veterans Inc. salute you!
Thank you for a fine tribute to fighting men and women. I grew up with Poppy Day. It's a reminder of wars fought, then and now. We need to support our troops and their families. I loved the shot of the blonde girl holding the baby. In the midst of war, life.
In World War 2, the 1st Marine Division was so impressed by the hospitality of the Australian people that they adopted Waltzing Matilda as their official song. To this day, when they deploy anywhere in the world, they do so with their band playing Waltzing Matilda.
And during the 50th anniversary of Guadalcanal, we went back and to 10 days in Sydney. We left Sydney Harbor on the last day aboard the LST USS Racine. But not before circling back and playing 1. Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid (they got a kick outta that) 2. The Stars and Stripes Forever and 3. Waltzing Matilda and the Marine's Hymn. In that order. I would not trade that for anything else in the world. A lot 'o fun !!
My Granddad's unit must have adopted the song too. He taught my Grandma it, who sang it, even after he'd died. I still hum it to bring back found memories, at age 70.
Great brothers and sisters of 1st Marine Division. I'll never forget the times I had there and the people I met. The sailors of HMAS Kuttabul and the ladies out in town. My only issue was not being able to smuggle enough Toohey's Red out of the Bourbon and Beefsteak. Good times...
The Aussies have always been there. It's great country. They had to drag me out of it when I was there and it was time to leave. This New York City native would really enjoy revisiting and seeing your great country, boarder to boarder.
I know from personal experience that all good musucians abd singers must persevere, ruthlessly self examine and put in the wirk. That said? Durham is a brillisntly gifted voice.
The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison was visiting with Trump 2020 today. Australian helicopter saved me in Vietnam. Thank you. God bless the Australian people. God bless the USA.
I remember my Grandfather who was a young 17 year old Cavalryman chasing Pancho Villa in 1916, with a Springfield on his back, and a colt .45 on his belt. I also think of my Dad now passed now passed, who was a young Navy forward air controller in the Korean war thinking he would never see the light of day again on several occasions, but managed to pull off a 30 year career in the Navy. Good song by a good group.
When the 1st Marine division arrived in Melbourne for recuperation after the fighting on Guadalcanal they were treated like kings by an Australian population that was hugely grateful for their halting of the Japanese advance towards Australia. During this time, the division adopted "Waltzing Matilda" as its battle hymn. Now, 75 years later, 1st Division Marines still ship out to this song being played.
The Aussies have been our best of allies ever since. They were the only ally that fought with us in Viet Nam. None of our so called European allies would do so for all we've done and still do for them.
This Nam Marine, son of a WWII Marine agree, and will tell it to ANYONE: You Diggers and Kiwis will damned sure do to ride the river with. Semper Fidelis.
Australia and America have similar pioneering beginnings hence similar attitudes.`WWII made the connection between these two great nations and I would say that Australia is America's greatest ally.
Kind of unknown. In WW1 when the King's troops would be punished (shot at dawn) for perceived cowardice, as well as the French and Germans and God only knows how many others, those in charge of the Aussies refused it outright. Now, I cannot speak about New Zealanders even though they were part of the ANZAC. But the Australian commanders refused it because they had all volunteered to go. They were not conscripted. And that does make sense as Britian did not start conscription until much later in the war. Now, with my backward thinking, I would have thought they would have been stricter with volunteers. But then again, Britian had no issue shaming boys as young as 16 into enlisting and even executed boys for cowardice as young as 14, even though they knew their real age. That disgusts me to this day. The unremitting slaughter and complete disregard for life all so some fat cat general officer can save face. They were the most ignorant, incompetent military leaders ever. Fighting a 20th century killing machine that was the 600RPM machine gun, gas and shell with mid 19th century tactics. The amount of underage boys that died in that war, although they paled in comparison to the overall casualty rate and they didn't change the tied in even 1 day of battle, their loss has been appalling. Their school mates would go and not wanting to miss the show, they would go too. Not telling their family for fear of being held back. Then to shoot some of them for cowardice and make their families actually live in shame because of it? Disgusting. They were just boys. The youngest US Marine to die in Vietnam I believe was 15. Insane. In "modern" times we had learned no better.
seems someone thinks anzac day should be ausac day. good luck with mainstreaming that notion. taking the nz out and replacing it with us may be novel, but historically incorrect.
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong Under the shade of a Coolibah tree And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me" Down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong Up jumped the swagging and grabbed him with glee And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me" Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me And he sang as he stowed that jumbuck in his tucker bag "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me" Down came the squatter mounted on his thorough-bred Up came the troopers one, two, three "Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker bag? You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me" Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me "Whose that jolly jumbuck you've got in your tucker-bag? You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me" Up cut the swagging and jumped into the billabong "You'll never catch me alive" said he And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong "Who'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me?" Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me" Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me And his ghost may be heard if you pass by that billabong "You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me"