“The really important kind of freedom involves attention, and awareness, and discipline, and effort, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them, over and over, in myriad petty little unsexy ways, every day.”
~ David Foster Wallace
I live in the picturesque Byron Shire – a million miles away from battlefields and war zones. Ours is the place where people come to enjoy some rest, sunshine, catch a few waves and enjoy a couple of beers as the sun goes down.
On a morning like many others I woke early and headed into Byron Bay for a swim and a good coffee. I parked my car, and began walking up the street towards the beach. The town was mostly still asleep, and all you could hear was the distant rolling surf and the morning chorus of birdsong.
Behind me some sleepy-eyed young men tumbled out of a local motel, clad in boardshorts and singlets, towels flung over their shoulders.
Suddenly there was a loud bang. I jumped, startled, and glanced around to see where the noise had come from. Bang! It sounded like a small explosion. The noise shattered the stillness of the morning, and the bangs kept coming.
Inexplicably I found myself shielded by three young men, pressed into the safety of a doorway. The tension was palpable, and then it dissolved as an old Kombi lurched past us, still backfiring.
We all laughed. I laughed heartily, feeling silly to have been frightened by something so ordinary. The young men laughed uncomfortably, and then began apologising profusely for having shoved me off the street.
“It’s okay, you probably haven’t had your coffee yet,” I said, trying to make them feel better.
“Actually, it’s the first day of our holiday,” explained one. “Can you tell us where to get a good brew?”
I did one better, and shouted them a coffee at my favourite local cafe. Turns out the young men were three of our soldiers, just back from a tour of Afghanistan. They apologised again and again for being jumpy, but I was just grateful that their first instinct had been to take care of me, before they even knew what the threat was.
It was enlightening to talk with them. They were so proud of the efforts of Australia’s military, and had obvious love of their work. We talked about their overseas tours, and their work closer to home, helping out after cyclones and floods. They talked about the morale of our troops, and the excitement and emotional uplift when care packages arrived in the mail. Of what it meant to receive letters from school children, and ANZAC biscuits and Vegemite from people they’d never met, but who were thinking of them, so far from home.
They talked of comrades injured, or killed. And the strong bonds of friendship.
By the time they’d finished their coffees they were relaxed again. Three mates heading off up the street to go for a body surf, to lie in the sun, and then to go in search of breakfast.
Today, ANZAC Day, I’m thinking of those three young men; their courage and their values. The ANZAC Spirit is alive and well, and I’m so very proud and grateful.
Lest We Forget.
Hi Nicole – I’ve just come back to my blog after some time away for work where I was fortunate to meet some amazing people and I couldn’t help feeling that some of what I write and read is a little frivolous. So thanks so much for this post which really makes me glad to be here and reading about experiences like yours. The ‘amazing’ is around us all the time and this is proof of that. Oh and I hope you keep dancing with your cows :>
Very nice post . Thanks .
I loved reading this, such a simple act of kindness by those young men but one resonating with deeper meaning for all of us. How lucky we are.
Simple, and yet, so fully committed and selfless. It humbles me still.
An amazing story that should give all of us pause at the sacrifices our soldiers make daily. This touched my heart;. An experience that changes your perspective forever.
Great style of writing I could see the picture you painted clearly when you set the scene, I would like to give all my thanks to those soldiers out there on duty, I always appreciate their efforts. I also too am glad to see the ANZAC spirit is still strong and alive today.
Thank you – and thanks for visiting my blog 😀 xx
hi nicole….so nice to read your story with real flavor of home in it for me…a ‘displaced aussie’ living in boston, where we have just had our own dose of ‘bangs’.. of the unfortunate nature
i have my recipe for ANZAC cookies out waiting to be made …. a little late but now when i do get around to celebrating the courage of the troops, i’ll be able to remember the three guys back from afganistan, the board shorts and the kombi too!
thank you for your light hearted look at a topic with a serious interior message
what an awesome story! i have found that chance meetings seem to be the best. i’ve always admired those who were willing to sacrifice so much so that others may live, be free. i suppose some of those feelings of just wanting to be supported and to know one is not forgotten is truly universal. i happen to volunteer with a group here in the US and i write letters to deployed personnel every week. i also adopted a soldier whom i write to regularly and send care packages. its important to keep that spirit alive and show support for the brave men and women who do so much for us… in whatever country we may live.
What a kind soul you are, to reach out to soldiers in such a personal way. I agree that it’s important to show our support, and letters and care packages are a great way to do that. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. Bless xx
Thank you so much for this post. Anzac day always makes me so sad at the human cost, and this was a soldier story with a happy ending. I shall be looking forward to your next one.
It was a happy ending, on a day when we are usually thinking about the loss and sorrow. SO many powerful and positive things also come from these ANZAC values.
Thank you for sharing your chance encounter. A wonderful story I really enjoyed reading. Thank you again.
What a wonderful story. First, because there was not real threat, which is refreshing considering what we see in the news every day. Second, because those young men put your safety before their own, which is what soldiers do for us every day just by virtue of enlisting. We live near Boston, and one of our neighbors is a Navy Seal who ran the Boston Marathon. He was where the bomb exploded but wasn’t hurt (thank God). Without even thinking, he ran toward the mayhem and helped those who had been injured. We’re so blessed to have thousands of people who voluntarily join the military to protect our freedom. –Lucinda
Your story of the Navy Seal doesn’t surprise me at all, Lucinda. I think it goes well beyond training. I think some people are just born with a need to serve to and to put the wellbeing of others before themselves. Thanks for sharing 😀 xx
Reblogged this on purplenaija.
Thank you so much for sharing my writing. It means a lot to me.Bless xx
These brave men have such a beautiful spirit – an unconditional zeal to protect and help the others. They leave their own loved ones to protect ours. Must have been a unique, once in a lifetime kind of feeling meeting them, sharing a few smiles and conversations with them. you have narrated your experience so beautifully – I wish I were there to meet them too.
Hail to these strong men! Much gratitude.
It is certainly a treasured moment for me.
They are a credit to their families, and to the Service, and they made me so proud!
Salute to fallen comrades… most of the wars we South Africans fought alongside you. Now we just battle it out in rugby and cricket, you guys are our favorite enemies… but after the game- it is so good to share a few beers and joke with one another. . We do have much better beer than you!
Oh you made me laugh, reading this! Have to admit I haven’t tried your beer yet, but as an Aussie I’m honour bound to say ours is better 😀 Thanks for dropping by!
We will always have something to differ about, but despite our differences understand each other quite well. Maybe thats why there are so many of us living in Australia… Thanks for a beautiful blog! Oh yes, our favourite television program is Australian Masterchef- but we only get to see 2011 series now…
Only 2011? Well you’ll have plenty to look forward to then! Yes, there’s always been that strong easy relationship there, and that;s a good thing 🙂
Incredibly well said. You should be as proud in yourself as you are proud of them. Sometimes I think we forget the sacrifices that are made for us on a daily basis.
I was only doing what anyone would have done, but thank you 🙂 xx
Reblogged this on My Future Is Brighter Today Than It Was Yesterday 🙂 and commented:
Amazing! God Bless Our Troops <3
Thank you for reblogging. I really appreciate you sharing my work. Bless 😀 xx
If they ever need a pen pal, I will write them long,hand written letters. What lovely people.
What a kind offer. I’m sure there are many troops who would love to get proper letters.
If you’ve heard of anywhere where they need letter writers, I’m game. I’ll even do them in crayon (I’m partial to the medium). 😉 Wonderful post.
Great post!
Thank you! 🙂
I haven’t heard of Anzac Day before. Thank you for opening me up to this national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
I think most countries have some form of Remembrance Day to honour their fallen, and all those who have served and continue to serve.
Thanks for taking the time to visit and read my work. It’s much appreciated.
You are welcome. Thanks! http://www.segmation.com
Great post Ms. Cody! Very powerful and moving to think of the armed forces everywhere fighting for freedom everywhere. Your story reminded me of a time where I was taking a family picture in Lake Las Vegas Hotel. I was a volunteer missionary for my church and lived in areas where gunfights were common. We were just about to take the picture when someone slammed a trash can so loud that it sounded like a gunshot. I almost hit the ground then realized where the noise came from. Glad I am not the only one who gets jumpy with loud noises 🙂 Again, great post!
http://lifeismuyfantastico.wordpress.com/
Thanks for your kind words! If we get jumpy with loud noises, how much worse it must be for the vets and serving troops. I often wonder how they re-adjust to life back at home.
I can’t help but imagine too. I have a very deep respect for all vets and serving troops.
Good soldiers those boys are! I mentioned Anzac Day myself today in a miscellani news post.
And although the soldiers on it are American, that picture from Afghanistan explains why those men moved that way :
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BXpz0-sbNEU/T1JJtWvGcZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/jYRbxZjC6nM/s1600/honor+shields.jpg
Ta Nicole for that post, Tay.
Thanks for sharing that! Good soldiers and good men, those boys are. And yes, I found myself losing sleep later over just how young they are. At their age I was at College, partying, having fun, and living a much more care-free existence. How much they sacrifice for us…
Yes, they do. At the same time it is a calling and a pride. Since I noticed your visit, when you feel like it, this post although more prosaic is about why :
http://dlofr.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/dad-is-war-necessary-the-soldiers-post/
Your care and sentiment expressed in your above reply is also part of the reward society offers for the service. Ta again for voicing it, Tay. 🙂
Like the visual contrast of the vdub bus and hummer wartank.
Please check out my music review blog: @ cultclassik.wordpress.com
It’s a little surreal isn’t it – those two very different modes of transport. Thanks for visiting, and I’m happy to check out your blog too!
Great post!!! Forever Grateful…
Thank you. I’m glad the vets and troops get to hear how much we care!
It is easy sometimes to forget the sacrifice these men and women put in. This is a poignant and lovely story.
Thanks Anne. So many men and women we’ll never meet make these daily sacrifices on our behalf, and it’s good to take a moment to acknowledge that and say “Thank you”. Thanks for stopping by my blog. 🙂
Anzac Day is an important day for us to honour and remember those who fought and are still fighting for the wonderful freedom we enjoy here. Thank you your beautiful post that illustrated that so perfectly.
I’m just happy to have shared my experience, and to remind people that ANZAC Day isn’t just about Gallipoli and the wars fought so long ago… Thanks for your kind words. 🙂 Bless xx
This has to be one of the best Freshly Pressed entries I’ve ever read. Thank you and congrats on Freshly Pressed.
Thank you! And thank you because your comment alerted me to the fact that I WAS Freshly Pressed! I was standing at the Farmers’ Markets’ in my purple gumboots doing a jig straight after reading this 😀
Yay!
Great story.
Portia xx
Thanks for dropping by, Portia! xx
What beautiful, spirited young men. I’ve often passed men wearing medals and simply said ‘thank you’ – not just on ANZAC Day, either. There are no other words that need to be said. They know what I’m saying thank you for. I’ll go back to bawl over my veggie juice now xoxo
Yes, thank you says it all, each and every day. Hope you’ve got a smile on your dial by now CJ xoxo
Can I borrow that sentiment from you CJM? When I see that Aussie flag on the camouflaged arm-sleeve, I am going to say ‘thankyou’. So simple yet soooooo powerful, and unexpected I would imagine! I always get a bit over=emotional when I see it, but so important to express it. x
My beloved partner is a Soldier. He is the most generous, loving, generous, fun human I have ever met. He loves me thoroughly and consciously. He makes me think and laugh and grow and I count my blessings every day. He cares for me in the smallest, gentlest ways and in the biggest, most fundamental ways. The love that this man’s giant, lion heart has to give is a true blessing.
He carries his many injuries from is 32 years of service quietly, uncomplaining, until he just can’t help it, before he will seek help. He always eats last yet never takes the last piece of anything. He carries heavy loads and always shoulders whichever burden is there at the time. He is always making the world around him a better place, always tries the hardest he can. He spends months away, not wanting to but accepting that it is part of his life of commitment and service. He lives his life in sacrifice, but not suffering in the sacrifice, just doing it, because he knows he can more easily than others so he just does it. However his nervous system often reacts in the way Nicole has described in her blog. If a car backfires, if a door slams or if he walks into a piece of wire, his whole system automatically reacts due to both his experiences and his training. And all I can do is give him a hug and a kiss, sit with him, make him a cup of tea, (apologise for dropping that thing I dropped on the tiles that make that almighty bang – why did he get together with such a clumsy girl!??!!) and remind his nervous system that he is safe and loved.
I respect this man wholly, love him with all of my being and do my level best to allow him a life with me that is loving, easy, fun, safe, warm, fed and comfortable – all the things that he has sacrificed so may times for all of us. Thank you Tom, my love, for all the giving that you do, every single day.
What a lovely tribute to your special man, Amy. Whilst reading both your and Nicole’s experiences, it suddenly occurred to me – soldiers are also lightworkers but the arena within which they operate is far removed from the one which we espouse. They definitely do deserve the best of everything – through the decades Australians have been blessed to have so many brave and selfless men walk in their midst ……
Totally agree with your insights, Mitch. Soldiers, like anyone else, can be Lightworkers. And someone is always needed to do the hard jobs, the dirty and the difficult jobs. There are many, many ways to serve…
Wow Amy, that was so beautifully written. A super huge thankyou to Tom and all his colleagues who go about their lives and jobs with such dedication and commitment. Such strength balanced with such tenderness, as you have shown us! Thankyou xx
Amy, what a moving and loving tribute to Tom. And how lucky you both are to have each other. Give him a hug for me too, and tell him thank you. {{{HUGS}}} Bless xx
Much gratitude to our wonderful servicemen and women who leave their families to serve away in challenging conditions, and miss out on modern comforts, special time that they are never going to get back with their children and partners, and the possibility of injuries both physical and mental. They make me so proud and appreciative of the daily sacrifices that they are making for all of us.
Me too, Lynette. And it’s up to us to make sure they are looked after, and that their sacrifices are not forgotten.
Nicole what a lovely encounter and a special reminder at the significance of today. It certainly isn’t a day given to glorifying war but for giving thanks to those who have and those who continue to sacrifice so very much for us. I became quite emotional reading how these young men are so conditioned by war that they react in such strong ways to loud noises and that they reacted to strongly to protect you. On the one hand that’s a great instinct yet, on the other, a huge burden. How can we ever forget?
You put that so beautifully – that is both and great instinct and a burden. How do our returned servicemen and women adapt to life at home again? And how can we better help them and their families to cope. We can’t afford to forget. It’s always going to be a work in progress…
Lovely story! Special Liason! I love how life places special people in our path everyday, we just have to realise this and embrace our journey! Less we forget! Love and warm hug! Xxx
I’ve often thought of these three young men since that day. I hope they’re travelling okay. Love and warm hugs to you too, Lyn xoxo