Our Australian friends

Ron Smith · 02-11-2009, 09:39 AM

I just thought it appropriate to give a moments pause for our Australian friends.

Many of whom lost their lives , and their homes in the recent terrible bush fires.

The Australian people have been among our countries closest friends and Allies. We fought side by side in Vietnam, while others ignored us. The war was unpopular in the eyes of the world, but they stood by us, right or wrong.

This photo is indicative of their nature. Some of the best people I have ever met.

Ron

Edward Tinker · 02-11-2009, 10:08 AM

yes, there fires have been far worse than California's in recent years, they have less population yet something like 180 people ahve died. Just horrible.....

policeluger · 02-11-2009, 10:29 AM

We have a missionary friend there now in the middle of the fires, please know that the US is sending help, and to a nation that deserves it....

Hueydriver · 02-11-2009, 10:34 AM

My prayers are also with our Australian brothers. As we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder.

Jesse

Lugerdoc · 02-11-2009, 10:36 AM

Ron, I concur: great folks. An unfortunate and unnessary loss of life. I believe that most of the "annual" California fires are greater in intensity but slower moving, so most folks get the hell out of the way. With the faster scrub fires in Australia, most folk are accustom to fighting them, themselves. Unfortunately, this time they sucked up all the oxygen and over came many people. Next year act like us (former) Kalifornians, and get the hell out of the way. TH

Ron Smith · 02-11-2009, 10:46 AM

Tom,

I watched an interview with an older Australian gentleman who said he had experienced several of these fires in his life. He said that this one was so rapidly moving that it was like a blast furnace. Very explosive and too fast to out run.

Ron

tudorbug · 02-11-2009, 12:31 PM

The photo of the fire fighter sharing his water with the injured Koala touched me deeply.

Compassion!

David

raygun · 02-12-2009, 08:43 AM

Thanks fellas , your kind thoughts and words are appreciated .

Yes I believe there is a team of at least a 100 American Firefighters at work right now . many fires are still burning out of controll , but the threat to life and property is now greatly reduced .

We have over 180 dead with the toll expected to rise considerably , more than 750 homes destroyed and over 5 thousand people homeless. Some small towns wiped off the face of the earth , whole communities wiped out .

We are hurting pretty badly at the moment . without a doubt the worst natural disaster we have ever suffered .

wlyon · 02-12-2009, 09:16 AM

Having spent 32 years in Fire Management I can really appreciate the problem they are experiencing. Our thoughts and prayers go to all involved. Bill

02-11-2009, 09:39 AM	#1
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Our Australian friends I just thought it appropriate to give a moments pause for our Australian friends. Many of whom lost their lives , and their homes in the recent terrible bush fires. The Australian people have been among our countries closest friends and Allies. We fought side by side in Vietnam, while others ignored us. The war was unpopular in the eyes of the world, but they stood by us, right or wrong. This photo is indicative of their nature. Some of the best people I have ever met. Ron Attached Images __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

02-11-2009, 10:08 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,915 Thanks: 1,989 Thanked 4,506 Times in 2,080 Posts	yes, there fires have been far worse than California's in recent years, they have less population yet something like 180 people ahve died. Just horrible..... __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

02-11-2009, 10:36 AM	#5
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 736 Times in 483 Posts	Ron, I concur: great folks. An unfortunate and unnessary loss of life. I believe that most of the "annual" California fires are greater in intensity but slower moving, so most folks get the hell out of the way. With the faster scrub fires in Australia, most folk are accustom to fighting them, themselves. Unfortunately, this time they sucked up all the oxygen and over came many people. Next year act like us (former) Kalifornians, and get the hell out of the way. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net

02-11-2009, 10:46 AM	#6
Ron Smith User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Orygun Posts: 4,243 Thanks: 118 Thanked 245 Times in 150 Posts	Tom, I watched an interview with an older Australian gentleman who said he had experienced several of these fires in his life. He said that this one was so rapidly moving that it was like a blast furnace. Very explosive and too fast to out run. Ron __________________ I Still Need DWM side plate #49... if anyone runs across a nice one. What ~Rudyard Kipling~ said...

02-12-2009, 08:43 AM	#8
raygun User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: brisbane Posts: 150 Thanks: 3 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Thanks fellas , your kind thoughts and words are appreciated . Yes I believe there is a team of at least a 100 American Firefighters at work right now . many fires are still burning out of controll , but the threat to life and property is now greatly reduced . We have over 180 dead with the toll expected to rise considerably , more than 750 homes destroyed and over 5 thousand people homeless. Some small towns wiped off the face of the earth , whole communities wiped out . We are hurting pretty badly at the moment . without a doubt the worst natural disaster we have ever suffered . __________________ arma tuentur pacem

02-11-2009, 10:29 AM	#3
policeluger RIP Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ca. Posts: 2,141 Thanks: 8 Thanked 89 Times in 54 Posts	We have a missionary friend there now in the middle of the fires, please know that the US is sending help, and to a nation that deserves it....

02-11-2009, 10:34 AM	#4
Hueydriver User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: North Dakota Posts: 66 Thanks: 7 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	My prayers are also with our Australian brothers. As we continue to stand shoulder to shoulder. Jesse

02-11-2009, 12:31 PM	#7
tudorbug Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 387 Thanks: 0 Thanked 40 Times in 29 Posts	The photo of the fire fighter sharing his water with the injured Koala touched me deeply. Compassion! David

02-12-2009, 09:16 AM	#9
wlyon Lifer 2X Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere in Montana Posts: 2,619 Thanks: 3,144 Thanked 2,530 Times in 943 Posts	Having spent 32 years in Fire Management I can really appreciate the problem they are experiencing. Our thoughts and prayers go to all involved. Bill __________________ Bill Lyon