WE WILL
REMEMBER THEM…
In a week’s time at 11.00 am across Australia and other parts
of the world, a silence is observed to mark the end of the First World War on a
day we know as Remembrance Day. Rituals
are observed including the saying of The Ode, the playing of the Last Post and
in some settings the laying of wreaths. Poppies have become the symbol of this day.
Many schools now include whole school assemblies to mark the occasion along
with services across the nation by various community groups. So, what is
actually being remembered by those who bow their heads in silence?
Remembrance means different things to different people and at
times these occasions are often shrouded in perceived respect but sadly shaped
by ignorance and vague ideas about what the day marks. The historical significance
of 11.00 a.m. on November 11, originally known as Armistice Day, is the date
marking the cessation of conflict in WW1. The specific treaty that officially ended
the war, the Treaty of Versailles was however not formalised until 28 June 1919
after 6 months of negotiation at the Paris Peace Conference.
Over generations the exclusivity of Remembrance Day as ‘belonging’
to WW1 has expanded as our nation became embroiled in a number of 20th
century conflicts including WW2, Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan,
and many peacekeeping missions. Remembrance Day is now an opportunity to acknowledge
all those who took part in our nation’s wartime conflicts …those who lost their
lives but also those who returned.
Over the last few decades interest in finding out about our
countrymen and women’s individual wartime experiences has resulted in many of
us delving into the past via online sites such as the National Australians
Archives, the Australian War Memorial, the Virtual War Memorial and other valuable
sources. My own research on this blog page and Connecting Spirits website has focused
on these narratives for many years now. However, the other side of Remembrance
relating to those who survived war, is often sidelined. Through the tours Julie
Reece Tours has run over the years, we have attempted where appropriate, to address
this. Of those soldiers who our CS groups have researched over the years, many
stories of heartbreak of those who returned, have been shared. The common theme
of ‘surviving the war but not the peace’ was evident throughout these accounts.
In the lead up to next week’s day of Remembrance, I’d like to
focus on Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan, who published the book ‘Until Tuesday’ based
on his personal war service and the challenges of his ‘peace’. I met Luis Montalvan over social media after
reading his book which focuses on the impact PTSD had on his life and the role
played by his assistance dog ‘Tuesday’ .
He is described as ‘…a
seventeen-year veteran and former captain in the U.S Army, where he earned the
Combat Action Badge, two bronze stars and the Purple Heart…’ Post war he ‘…earned
a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University …’ and started another
master’s in strategic communications. He became a fierce advocate for veterans
across the US doing speaking engagements and collaborating with service and
veterans’ groups assisting others suffering from PTSD.
All these
accomplishments were enabled by him re-joining society with the support of his
assistance dog ‘Tuesday’. It wasn’t until Tuesday came into his life, that Luis
pieced his life together. Over the years the Connecting Spirits groups would
hear his story when we visited the American Cemetery in Waregem, Belgium, while
we focused on the impact war had on those who survived.
And then out of nowhere this man’s life took a tragic turn. On
2 December 2016, Luis Carlos Montalvan checked into a motel in Texas and died alone
at his own hand. Despite all he had achieved, all he had done for others and
the many ways he had fought his demons; Luis could fight no more. His war was
over, but the peace never really came to this man.
So why recount this American man’s story in the lead up to
November 11? The answer is simple: remembering those who died during wartime
conflicts and researching their experiences is crucial in our trying to understand
the past. But equally important is learning about those who don’t make a list
of casualties or who are named on public honour rolls. Those veterans who live amongst
us who served in conflicts or peacekeeping missions, carry those scars with
them every day. Some individuals live rich and productive lives…some do not but
their memories are there with them forever.
In conclusion to quote John F McGowan, Australian veteran of
the Vietnam War from his novel ‘As leaves are prey to the wind.’:
‘Once we were
soldiers
Boys in young
men’s bodies
Boasting the
boldness of naivety
Victims of
political folly, placed in harm’s way
While you of
our age learned how to live
We learned
how to kill
While you learned
of love
We learned to
hate.
Our service
no longer required
Cast aside as
collateral damage
Like fallen
leaves
Prey to the
winds of circumstance.
What has become
of us
We with
nothing more than shiny medals
Hanging from
coloured ribbons
Left to grow
old
Our years
condemn
We wander
among you
Aliens on our
own country
Where are we
now?
(By John McGowan, ‘As
Leaves are Prey To Wind’ )
At 11.00 a.m. on Thursday
11th November, please take time to honour all who served and make a
promise to educate ourselves about our nation’s history during wartime, so that
we ‘remember’ based on a foundation of knowledge and respect.
