Still on a slightly lighter note, your thoughts and those of suggested long term regulars are respected. I too know many long term regulars, most of whom have a big whinge about the remounting cost every time they become aware of their eligibility to apply for a new ADF Medal. If I were a betting man, which I am not; I would wager $1.00 that most of our cobbers that have a initial whinge about the remounting cost of their new medal, open their wallets, let the moths out and get the remount done. The alternative is not to apply for a new medal and if you do and do not want to bear the remounting cost, its case will protect it in the bottom of a drawer somewhere or give it to one of your responsible and appreciative children or grandchild... HUMOUR IS THE KEY! Eldon Bryant............. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ted HARRIS" <tedharris@ozemail.com.au> To: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <artillery.oz@bigpond.com>; <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 2:35 PM Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity [REPLY] > On a slightly lighter note can I say that most long term regulars hate > these > new medals. Partly because they are meaningless but more because of the > cost. > > A mate of mine, a 21 year man with OS service in PNG and Vietnam has a > chest > full of medals that make him look like Mussolini. Every time a new one is > awarded the whole dashed lot have to be remounted at a cost of well over > $200. > > New medals. Bah Humbug. > > Cheers, > Ted Harris > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <artillery.oz@bigpond.com> > To: <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 12:29 PM > Subject: Fw: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity > [REPLY] > > >> FOR THE INFORMATION OF INTERESTED >> AUS-MILITARY MAILING LIST SUBSCRIBERS... >> >> E.& O.E. >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <artillery.oz@bigpond.com> >> To: "J. David Grierson" <grierson@melbpc.org.au> >> Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 11:34 AM >> Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity >> [REPLY] >> >> >> > Hello David, >> > >> > Greetings from Townsville, North Queensland...... >> > >> > Thanks for your thoughts re the past and ongoing >> > saga of the ADM. >> > >> > There are so many varied ADM convictions >> > floating around both verbally and on the Internet >> > [E-mails], the mind boggles somewhat! >> > >> > Personally, I treat the ANS Decoration >> > [Anniversary of National Service 1951 - >> > 1972 Medal] purely as a Federal Government >> > square-off to shut up the whingers by awarding >> > them a commemorative medallion. >> > >> > Yes David, I too must admit, I have applied >> > for the ADM. >> > >> > Whether one agrees, or disagrees to the >> > National Servicemen receiving the ADM, I >> > would venture to suggest that 99.99% of >> > Australia's National Servicemen were totally >> > apathetic in respect to their apparent lack >> > of SUPPORT to the 00.01% who did >> > work their butt's off by long term lobbying >> > of Federal Politicians, their staff /ADF >> > advisors and other hanger's on who >> > receive a fat pay envelope at the expense >> > of the Aussie tax payer. >> > >> > Therefore, The 99.99% of National >> > Servicemen should receive what they >> > didn't SUPPORT and that's; >> > >> > #&@@*! NOTHING... >> > >> > Currently, I can visualize thousands and >> > thousands of National Servicemen >> > throughout Australia procuring and >> > completing their Application Forms for >> > the ADM. I have to date witnessed >> > several dozen applications in my >> > capacity as a JP. >> > >> > Many of the Nasho's cannot help >> > themselves when occasions arise for >> > the wearing of ADF Medals, they >> > adorn their shirt or coat with so many >> > military type badges, they look as if >> > they were sales representatives for >> > a badge manufacturers. I guess this >> > comment is somewhat distasteful, I >> > am really not a nasty old sod! >> > >> > In conclusion and without wanting to >> > appear to you as a vain person, which >> > I am not, I was approached last >> > January '06 to consider joining and >> > SUPPORTING the agenda of SMALT >> > [Service Medal for All Loyal Troops] >> > and on accepting the invitation, got to >> > work [suggested guidance provided] >> > along with the other SMALT supporters >> > throughout Australia, lobbying the Federal >> > Government political circus arena and >> > there would not be one Minister or MP >> > [including the Prime Minister] of any >> > political persuasion that did not receive >> > several amicable, to the point REV'S by >> > E-mail from that young fella Bryant >> > in Tropical Townsville, not for one >> > moment, forgetting the brilliant efforts >> > of my fellow SMALT members/team >> > throughout Australia. >> > >> > Oh! Shut up Bryant, you are not >> > writing to a politician!!!!!!! >> > >> > Cheers and best wishes, >> > >> > Eldon Bryant..... >> > >> > >> > ----- Original Message ----- >> > From: "J. David Grierson" <grierson@melbpc.org.au> >> > To: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <e.bryant@bigpond.net.au> >> > Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 8:59 PM >> > Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity >> > [REPLY] >> > >> > >> >> It's all a bit of a giggle. In my eyes, the ADM as an award has been >> >> devalued by this latest set of decisions. You will recall that when >> >> the >> >> National Servicemen's gong was decided upon, there was a backlash from >> >> the >> >> regulars who rightly argued that they had no recognition for an eight >> >> year >> >> enlistment period. The outcome was the decision to create what was > going >> >> to be an award for volunteering for a regular enlistment period. Then > the >> >> whinging started. >> >> Now we have the situation where we see a Nasho with no OS service >> >> given >> >> two awards for two years service vs one to the regular for six or >> >> eight >> >> years. Even sillier, we will see Nashos with a VN tour in two years >> >> service wearing five awards vs the regular wearing three awards for >> >> the >> >> same service, no matter how many times he was recycled (gallantry > aside). >> >> Just another bit of spin-tin, really. Yes, I have applied. >> >> David Grierson >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >>

Yeah you are probably right. However you might want to take into account the feeling with many Old'n Bolds that if your Queen/Country awards you a medal you are duty bound to wear it. Old fashioned? Probably. So I figure that they feel compelled to go through the remounting process at a cost that is not insignificant, all to display a medal that is so far removed from it's original concept as to be laughable. Over 1 million people will be eligible. The term "Every Bleeders Got One Medal" comes to mind. I found one yesterday in a box of Weeties. Here is the stupid bit. I served honourably in the CMF 1965 to 1968. In 1968 I was conscripted. I declined to offer to avoid full time service by staying in the CMF and went (proudly) off to the ARA (NS). I served until 1970, mostly in Malaysia/Singapore as an Infanteer (a Dust Disturber). My slate was clean. I was discharged to the Active Reserve for a period of xyx years. The Army in it's wisdom decided that my overseas service warranted NO MEDALS. I agreed. Since then, vote seeking politicians have awarded me 3 medals. My Dad served in France 1916 to 1919. Leaving aside his MM, he was entitled to 2 medals. And I get 3 for 14 months service in a non-war zone? Sounds crazy to me. Cheers, Ted Harris ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <artillery.oz@bigpond.com> To: "Ted HARRIS" <tedharris@ozemail.com.au> Cc: "AUSTRALIAN MILITARY Mailing List" <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 3:39 PM Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity [REPLY] > Still on a slightly lighter note, your thoughts and those of > suggested long term regulars are respected. > > I too know many long term regulars, most of whom have > a big whinge about the remounting cost every time they > become aware of their eligibility to apply for a new ADF > Medal. > > If I were a betting man, which I am not; I would wager > $1.00 that most of our cobbers that have a initial whinge > about the remounting cost of their new medal, open their > wallets, let the moths out and get the remount done. > > The alternative is not to apply for a new medal and > if you do and do not want to bear the remounting > cost, its case will protect it in the bottom of a drawer > somewhere or give it to one of your responsible and > appreciative children or grandchild... > > HUMOUR IS THE KEY! > > Eldon Bryant............. > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ted HARRIS" <tedharris@ozemail.com.au> > To: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <artillery.oz@bigpond.com>; > <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 2:35 PM > Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity > [REPLY] > > > > On a slightly lighter note can I say that most long term regulars hate > > these > > new medals. Partly because they are meaningless but more because of the > > cost. > > > > A mate of mine, a 21 year man with OS service in PNG and Vietnam has a > > chest > > full of medals that make him look like Mussolini. Every time a new one is > > awarded the whole dashed lot have to be remounted at a cost of well over > > $200. > > > > New medals. Bah Humbug. > > > > Cheers, > > Ted Harris > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <artillery.oz@bigpond.com> > > To: <AUS-MILITARY-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 12:29 PM > > Subject: Fw: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity > > [REPLY] > > > > > >> FOR THE INFORMATION OF INTERESTED > >> AUS-MILITARY MAILING LIST SUBSCRIBERS... > >> > >> E.& O.E. > >> > >> ----- Original Message ----- > >> From: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <artillery.oz@bigpond.com> > >> To: "J. David Grierson" <grierson@melbpc.org.au> > >> Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 11:34 AM > >> Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity > >> [REPLY] > >> > >> > >> > Hello David, > >> > > >> > Greetings from Townsville, North Queensland...... > >> > > >> > Thanks for your thoughts re the past and ongoing > >> > saga of the ADM. > >> > > >> > There are so many varied ADM convictions > >> > floating around both verbally and on the Internet > >> > [E-mails], the mind boggles somewhat! > >> > > >> > Personally, I treat the ANS Decoration > >> > [Anniversary of National Service 1951 - > >> > 1972 Medal] purely as a Federal Government > >> > square-off to shut up the whingers by awarding > >> > them a commemorative medallion. > >> > > >> > Yes David, I too must admit, I have applied > >> > for the ADM. > >> > > >> > Whether one agrees, or disagrees to the > >> > National Servicemen receiving the ADM, I > >> > would venture to suggest that 99.99% of > >> > Australia's National Servicemen were totally > >> > apathetic in respect to their apparent lack > >> > of SUPPORT to the 00.01% who did > >> > work their butt's off by long term lobbying > >> > of Federal Politicians, their staff /ADF > >> > advisors and other hanger's on who > >> > receive a fat pay envelope at the expense > >> > of the Aussie tax payer. > >> > > >> > Therefore, The 99.99% of National > >> > Servicemen should receive what they > >> > didn't SUPPORT and that's; > >> > > >> > #&@@*! NOTHING... > >> > > >> > Currently, I can visualize thousands and > >> > thousands of National Servicemen > >> > throughout Australia procuring and > >> > completing their Application Forms for > >> > the ADM. I have to date witnessed > >> > several dozen applications in my > >> > capacity as a JP. > >> > > >> > Many of the Nasho's cannot help > >> > themselves when occasions arise for > >> > the wearing of ADF Medals, they > >> > adorn their shirt or coat with so many > >> > military type badges, they look as if > >> > they were sales representatives for > >> > a badge manufacturers. I guess this > >> > comment is somewhat distasteful, I > >> > am really not a nasty old sod! > >> > > >> > In conclusion and without wanting to > >> > appear to you as a vain person, which > >> > I am not, I was approached last > >> > January '06 to consider joining and > >> > SUPPORTING the agenda of SMALT > >> > [Service Medal for All Loyal Troops] > >> > and on accepting the invitation, got to > >> > work [suggested guidance provided] > >> > along with the other SMALT supporters > >> > throughout Australia, lobbying the Federal > >> > Government political circus arena and > >> > there would not be one Minister or MP > >> > [including the Prime Minister] of any > >> > political persuasion that did not receive > >> > several amicable, to the point REV'S by > >> > E-mail from that young fella Bryant > >> > in Tropical Townsville, not for one > >> > moment, forgetting the brilliant efforts > >> > of my fellow SMALT members/team > >> > throughout Australia. > >> > > >> > Oh! Shut up Bryant, you are not > >> > writing to a politician!!!!!!! > >> > > >> > Cheers and best wishes, > >> > > >> > Eldon Bryant..... > >> > > >> > > >> > ----- Original Message ----- > >> > From: "J. David Grierson" <grierson@melbpc.org.au> > >> > To: "Eldon R. J. Bryant" <e.bryant@bigpond.net.au> > >> > Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 8:59 PM > >> > Subject: Re: [AUS-MIL] Re: Australian Defence Medal possible ambiguity > >> > [REPLY] > >> > > >> > > >> >> It's all a bit of a giggle. In my eyes, the ADM as an award has been > >> >> devalued by this latest set of decisions. You will recall that when > >> >> the > >> >> National Servicemen's gong was decided upon, there was a backlash from > >> >> the > >> >> regulars who rightly argued that they had no recognition for an eight > >> >> year > >> >> enlistment period. The outcome was the decision to create what was > > going > >> >> to be an award for volunteering for a regular enlistment period. Then > > the > >> >> whinging started. > >> >> Now we have the situation where we see a Nasho with no OS service > >> >> given > >> >> two awards for two years service vs one to the regular for six or > >> >> eight > >> >> years. Even sillier, we will see Nashos with a VN tour in two years > >> >> service wearing five awards vs the regular wearing three awards for > >> >> the > >> >> same service, no matter how many times he was recycled (gallantry > > aside). > >> >> Just another bit of spin-tin, really. Yes, I have applied. > >> >> David Grierson > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> > > >> >