Hayo van der Woude, Mullumbimby
Veterans suffer again (SMH November 2, p5). Soldiers have been sacrificed by nations for commercial windfalls forever. Our own were no different these last 120 years.
Unprotected by the wisdom of age, their youthful ideals and courage condemned them to senseless slaughter. If they return chronically traumatised and unfit for work they may usefully contribute further to establishment fortunes by rhythmically feeding poker machines in lonely, empty temples.
When will we cease believing that the annual rituals in honour of the fallen are a sign that authority cares? The Bird family of ex-services people, banished by Border Farce, proves otherwise. This was the tool created by the angry Abbott and the devil Dutton in service to their corporate manipulators.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
