Under construction
With protection of Creator God all family members of the military have safely returned from war to enjoy the peace that saw so much sacrifice. Lets ensure that Peace is the focus of our remembrance of the sacrifice of war. Let our Australian War Memorial be a memorial to Peace, the peace so many fought and died for.
Peace is the Goal and the prayer is that War will someday end. War to end all war was the false dream of the brave combatants in the World War I. Back then objectors were drafted into uniform and shot as deserters at the front line. Australia twice rejected conscription referenda and many questioned the deployment of Australians at Imperial whim to invade other countries. The armistice to end the war to end all wars instead sowed the seeds of a second global bloodbath. Again in World War II Australians voiced objection to war. These led to military courts and prison and this represented progress.
Peace protest peaked against Australians involvement in Vietnam (1962-73). Conscription for overseas conflict replaced National Service for Australia. Conscientious Objectors did not need to burn draft cards for objections could be heard in the Civil courts. Progress indeed away from war. The military then took on the role of peace keeping in overseas countries. After a century of moving away from war now lets make progress towards Peace. The ANZAC eve Peace Lantern Parade can put Peace as the focal point of our memorial to Australians killed in War.
References:
Second Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1939-1947
Conflict - WW2 RAAF Personnel files - All Ranks
RAAF Personnel files of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and other ranks, 1921-1948