A SAD BUT TRUE EVENT
EASTER AND ANZAC DAY 2006
SCENARIO 1
I promised my father that I would carry on the tradition and the honour of the Squadrons that he held so close to his heart. I also promised that I would parade his medals with his mates and with his 467-463 Squadrons banner.
Unfortunately MS Diane Strub, my sister, has stated to me that I was to be bypassed with his medals and thus stripped of the honour of parading them. She gave them to his grandson, her son.
These medals were passed directly to her son, my Father's Grandson, and she claims was at fathers request. These medals were surepticiously removed with out family discussion and consent, and the Honour of the eldest son was abrigated by not being able to march the medals.
It was agreed by my father and myself that these medals would pass through me to Peter Strub many months before he passed.
Sister's statement to me was that this was Dad's wish. She also stated that "You know what he was like, he would never put anything in writing". If this is so then it makes it very hard for me to support all that he stood for, all that he found Honourable, all the Tradition that he believed in, and his request to me to support, in the spirit that he enthused, the 467-463 Squadrons Associations. One of his favourite phrases was to hand over to the next generation.
It has also been stated to me by Mother that she phoned Sister when she realised the medals were to be given away and demanded their return. Mother states that she was told "The medals are here and that is that". Mother has also stated to me that she was so distressed and ashamed that she could not talk to me about this.
SCENARIO 2
My Sister stated to me that it was Dad's request that these medals be moved to her Son. It is possible that due to his speech impediment that Diane has misunderstood which Peter he was referring to. My nephew is also Peter and my sister may have confused what his request was. In this case then it is not Father bypassing me but a simple confusion of names and terms. I still can not use this as an excuse for her because of the failure to discuss the movement of the Medals.
CONCLUSION
Irrespective of which ever scenario applies, my sister failed to discuss the movement of the Medals with the other 2 stakeholders, namely mother and myself. The agreement that I had with Dad to march his medals with his mates and then to hand to Peter Strub was never heard by other members of the family. The entire decision was based on the words that my sister heard or thinks she heard. All in all I am very sad that this has happened because it was not my Mother's wish and also not my Father's wish. My words that were also from Father were totally disregarded and never listened to or heard. The decision was carried by minority and greed.
Some words that will always haunt me ---
"We don't need you but you need us"
MOTHER'S DAY INTIMIDATION & BERATEMENT
Mother has stated to me that she was invited around to her daughter's house on Mothers Day for the evening meal. Mother has said that it was demamded of her that she signs the letter she has been given. Mother has said that she was very distressed and asked to be taken home because she was stood over by her daughter and grandson and demands to sign this letter or we will remove support from you were issued. Mother states that the words used were along the lines of "I missed out on the rings, i will not miss out on the medals" (Sister), "I will not support you the same way you supported your mother" (Sister), "We don't need you but you need us" (Son in Law several times). Mother believes that she has signed this letter under duress and intimidation. Mother was counselled by friends and other members of the Squadrons Associations not to sign but felt that the loss of support from her daughter would be devastating to her well being.
This letter was handed to Mother some months after notification that the Medals had been moved. It refers to Dad's mental health, his speech, but does not state a direct time. I have read this letter and it is amateurish in it's design. It is obviously the knee jerk reaction of a person feeling guilt or fear that I would ask for the medals to be returned to Mother through the courts of Australia. This indicates to me a panic attack that maybe they know they are wrong.
THE ULTIMATE INSULT
Well, having stated what I have said above it is my belief that a huge insult has been issued to both my deceased father, to my self, and to all members.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT
THE SECRETARY OF 467463 RAAF QUEENSLAND ASSOCIATIONS
