Thread: too slow to march

Originally Posted by weeds

un-bloody-believable, whats the world coming to, ANZAC day should revolve around these guys and what they want

WWII Diggers break ranks after being told they're too slow to march on ANZAC Day | News.com.au

not sure who is pushing the above but i will have to bite my tongue if its actually an RSL

ANZAC day 2009 i was refused entry into a RSL at 7am straight after dawn service with my boys......yep a serving member with medals pinned to his jacket, unfortunitly i am no longer a member of the RSL

i have never missed a dawn service, wish i was in townsville to cheer these two guys on

So, what happened??? tell us the story.........they wouldn't just say you can't come in, particularly as you say, you are a serving member and you had your medals pinned to your jacket!!!

bugger the critics. If it was what those 2 diggs wanted Id slow march behind them from townsville to canberra just so they could watch me kick the polly who came up with that crap in the joy department,

I think I know the RSL involved, two young diggers with Timor campaign medals were refused entrance because they were not members, disgraceful conduct on the doormans part. There was such a stink put on by returned members, the Club has said it will never happen again.I believe the protests went all the way to RSL head office. Those WW2 diggers should be allowed to march as far as they are capable, have a vehicle behind them pick them up if necessary, put them way out in front of the march so there is the least amount of disruption to the parade, if that is what the issue is. I know the Battalions based in Townsville march,perhaps they set the pace. Anyway, good on them, I hope the organising committe looks after them. Bob

Originally Posted by weeds

"i have never missed a dawn service, wish i was in townsville to cheer these two guys on

"



I have been to the Dawn service for the last 20 years with my Father, a New Guinea and Balikpapan veteran. Since he passed on, I continue to go in his memory, Sandgate RSL, ALL WELCOME. Bob

The original story about the two oldies in Townsville is typical journalistic disregard for actual facts.
Unfortunately the litigation hungry world we live in today has gone extremely pear shape as far as covering ones butt is concerned and this has reached out to affect the organisers of various marches across the country.
The guide lines for march organisers state that anyone over the age of 80 should not march because that is the age where insurance companies drew the line as far as insurance cover goes, (same as travel insurance) therefore should one of these elderly gentleman stumble, fall etc., whilst on the march the organisers would be seen responsible for not showing a "duty of care".
The organisers therefore go out of their way to organise another way for these diggers to attend and that usually ends up being by vehicle, (In Brisbane it is by either cab, golf buggy or Jeeps that are supplied by the MJCQ.)
Should a digger who is over the cut off age of 80 years wish to march he may do so, (although he is encouraged to do otherwise), but does so on his own bat and on the understanding that neither he nor the family (biggest worry) can sue the organisers in the case of a mishap. (unless of course they can afford smarter lawyers.)
I might add that this is quoted from a Brisbane aspect, which come under the direction of the Qld RSL, and may differ in other states somewhat.
Being one sitting on the organising committee (all ex servicemen themselves I might add) of the Bne march I am well aware of how much we (the committee) are hamstrung by Political correctness, Duty of Care, Racial equality* and any other petty "goody goody" restriction one can think of. Anzac day marches as we know them are staring down the barrell of extinction and this is getting worse each year.
*(Racial equality is a bit of a farce as far as the military is concerned - If you are the wrong race you get shot! Simple as that)
"Sunrise" or one of the oppositions channel's morning drivel shows will possibly blow this one up as they usually do, but hopefully there are one or two sensible people out there who will see the reasoning.
Regards
Glen

If those old Diggers are anything like my old Dad, they would sign a waiver saying they accept all responsibility, surely in this case, the organising committee could work out a compromise, such as driving them to the saluting dais, letting them out to march [ shuffle] past the dais , give the salute, back in the car, keep their dignity. It would be good PR , and cut the press off at the pass. Bob.

Originally Posted by zulu Delta 534

(Racial equality is a bit of a farce as far as the military is concerned - If you are the wrong race you get shot! Simple as that)

not quite, you have to be in the wrong place and doing the wrong thing, then it doesnt matter what race you are we'll shoot towel heads just as readily as spiks, wops, niggers, curry munchers and hippies we'll just make sure we alter the politically incorrect jokes and stories we tell to suit.

Originally Posted by Ausfree

So, what happened??? tell us the story.........they wouldn't just say you can't come in, particularly as you say, you are a serving member and you had your medals pinned to your jacket!!!

just for you ausfree.....

both of my boys 6yo and 10yo were keen to attend dawn service in 2009 due the being involved with anzac day activities at there schools for the week or two prior

at the dawn service my youngest went up and talked to an old digger and than sat on the ground beside him and watch the service. after the service i suggested we walk up to the RSL for breakfast, have a look around and maybe even a chat with some diggers

we arrive at the front door only to be stopped and told we could not enter
i asked why
they said no kids allowed
i said your kidding right
they sad no

remember this is at 7am in the morning

they said its not good for kids to be around adults drinking on anzac day
i said i was comfortable with bringing them in and that we would only be an hour or so and i doubt that there would be many drunken diggers

keep in mind i now the centre of attraction with everybody stopping, looking, listening, he's me with my two medals 4yr and 15yr 'nothing too special' but had my grand dads string of medals 'rat of tobruk'

i stood there in disbelief, said to the boys lets go to which they were disappointed, the youngest even said the old digger at the dawn service was so nice

i turned around only to see some young lout in skin tight black jeans, piercings in his face, some stupid slogan across his shirt walk straight through
i turned to the guys on the door, no not security guys but RSL members, and shook my head

started walking off and a guy ran after me, he helps out at the sub branch with vet affair claims and recognised me, he said come with me around the side and i will sort something out

off we go up the side of the RSL where all the workers lob to smoke at the back of the kitchen, he said he would get some breakfast for us. there was no way i was going to accept breakfast down some grotty alley way

i gabbed the boys and headed off, to my surprise the same guy came running after us, in a woolies bag was breakfast............would you believe macdonalds had won the job for catering, i stood there stunned, could not believe the events over the last 1/2 hr

i didnt renew my membership