I didn't serve but my family members service shaped my life

[RiverSeal]

Hey Veterans Families Space,

Thank you for reaching out to the SANE Forums Veterans Family Space, where we can share our experiences with our loved ones who are Veterans!

Speaking from my experience of my father serving in the Navy for 16.5 years and working as a civilian for the ADF afterwards. My life has been shaped, particularly when I was growing up, by my father’s experiences. Does anyone else relate to this and want to share how the ADF has shaped your life, but you didn’t serve?

When I think of my childhood, growing up and as an adult, and my father, the main thing that comes to mind is that things were centred around the Navy. I remember going to visit my father at the Navy Base where he was working as a civilian since he left the Navy before I was born. It was very exciting seeing all the planes on the base and swimming in the base pool while we waited for him to finish work and join us.

Dad always had stories about his service, where he’d been overseas and the opportunities the Navy provided him. There was always a reason why he did things the way he did, and he taught my sister and me the skills he learned in the Navy. We always went to ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day services, and he shared his knowledge about other family members who also served.

Where we lived in Australia was because of dad’s service in the Navy and his work as a civilian in the ADF. Those experiences shaped my life too, and we knew that we were there for a reason. I grew up expecting that I would be in the ADF, but I chose not to because I had my life shaped already and wanted a different experience.

We are excited to hear how your life might have been shaped by your family members service in the ADF!

Take care

RiverSeal

[Snowie]

@RiverSeal 

My husband served in the Air Force and then worked for them as a civilian afterwards.

We spent many months apart from each other, but were lucky he was mostly based in Australia. He did spend some time in Malaysia.

Very different back then when the only way of communicating was by phone or letter.

I also remember sitting on my grandfathers lap with him talking about his service and how important it is to thank those people that fought for our country. Something I have tried to continue with my children. 

Both my father (before I was born) and both my grandfathers served.

[RiverSeal]

Thanks for sharing @Snowie, and it must have been challenging being apart from your husband for months at a time. As dad had left the Navy by the time I was born, we did not experience him being away. 

It's hard to imagine not having phones and email now that everything is instant, but I remember those times too. How things have changed!!

Thanks again

RiverSeal  

[Appleblossom]

@RiverSeal @Snowie my father was in the Navy in WWII, so before I was born. I did enjoy him taking me a few times to Garden Island and showing me all around. I was also grateful to Legacy, cos we had free dentistry and I had holidays on a dairy farm under the soldier settlement scheme. He didn't talk that much about it but one of my last memories before he died was him talking to the other defence force fellows at Heidelberg Repat. 

[Stout]

HI

Im Stout, and Im back.

Open to any questions, some short posts, and then ????

[RiverSeal]

Hey @Stout, thanks for posting an update!

I'm curious what is your experience with the ADF? Maybe you served or have a family member who did. We love to hear about your experiences!

There are some threads that you can post in to support the community further if you would like:

Veterans:

https://saneforums.org/t5/Shoulder-to-Shoulder-Veterans/What-do-you-need-from-this-forum-Let-us-know...

https://saneforums.org/t5/Shoulder-to-Shoulder-Veterans/START-HERE-Welcome/td-p/1646537

Veterans Famillies:

https://saneforums.org/t5/Shoulder-to-Shoulder-Veteran/What-do-you-need-from-this-forum-Let-us-know-...

https://saneforums.org/t5/Shoulder-to-Shoulder-Veteran/Welcome-to-the-Shoulder-to-Shoulder-Veteran-F... 

Take care

RiverSeal 

[Shaz51]

@RiverSeal , @Stout , @Appleblossom , @Snowie 

my grandfather was in the navy for WW11

he did not talk much about when he was at war 

My cousin followed in his footsteps, and she went to the navy 

she has just retired