I've not long returned from an amazing, career highlight trip from France and Belgium. I am a current serving RAAF member who was chosen to be part of the burial party that re-interned one of our lost Spitfire pilots (SGT Bill Smith) from WWII. He was shot down over Northern France in 1942, and was only found mid-last year. It was a remarkable privilege to be part of this ceremony, and to meet his younger brother Bert, and his family. I'm getting chills again typing this!
If that wasn't enough, I was able to stay in France for ANZAC Day ceremonies at Villers-Bretonneux and Bullecourt. The experience of being part of the Dawn service at the Australian memorial is difficult to describe. Humbling, moving, emotional, sad. All of the above plus any number of other emotions. One of the defining memories I will take from that trip is the high regard and respect that the Australian Military still hold in that part of the world. And playing two-up in an Irish pub in Amiens with a Vietnam Vet will stay with me for a long, long time as well.
Lest we forget.
Mark