Yesterday a really good friend of mine was killed by a man who stole a van in the city of Baltimore in the USA and crashed the vehicle into the room in which she was sleeping killing her instantly. (He was being pursued by the Police at the time) Mary was a wonderful person who I knew from my time in Uganda when I was involved in assisting with the restroation of their Bell Helicopter fleet.
Mary ran the Rakai virus project funded by John Hopkins University and did a wonderful job in her endevours to battle the AIDS virus. Her death has left me with a feeling of hoplessness in our fellow man.
I came to ponder about my book and blog and the reason for me doing what I am doing and came to the conclusion that the World does not care, whatever we veterans of conflicts say.
There is no hope for mankind as he watches lamely while Despots like Mugabe murder at will, how can we hope to fight Global Terrorism when Africa is riddled with corruption , murder and rape?
South Africa is steadily becoming another Nigeria, a cesspool of corruption, robbery , murder and a basket case-all hidden under the hope that the Soccer World Cup will cure all -no -it will just increase crime because there will be easy pickings.
My Blog and book have ripped open old wounds and a seething rage against England and the West as I feel that they had the means to bring Rhodesia to a peaceful settlement.
No they had no balls and bowed to the Nationalists, Zimbabwe is suffering like never in its History and the world watches -why-NO OIL and anyway its a basket case?
All those young men black and white whatever side they fought for would turn in thier bloody graves if they could see the results of the CHIMURENGA WAR.
I have had many e mails and messages from University Professors to schoolkids asking questions about the war.
Each day uncovering more incredible and sometimes unpalatable facts.
My answer to you all is that it was bloody and terrifying war at times, my mouth dry with abject fear as we ran into the targets, if I had the chance I would have opted out, only fear kept me going, the fear of failure!!!!
Do not look for bravery here, just nightmares, which this has brought on rather than cure. I will finish this book and hang up the gloves and helmet forever-done in memory of those who fought and died in the struggle.
I see the blogs about Zimbabwe today -a mute testimony to the World marking time Who gives a stuff anyway?
Now to the crossroads -do I continue the blog and keep picking at the scabs?
I DONT KNOW -It started like looking through shattered glass but some of the shards are terrifyingly clear and big.
About Me
- Beaver Shaw
- Nairobi, Kenya
- I an ex member of both 7 and 8 Squadron's of the Rhodesian war spending most of my operational time on Seven Squadron as a K Car gunner. I was credited for shooting down a fixed wing aircraft from a K Car on the 9 August 1979. This blog is from articles for research on a book which I HAVE HANDED THIS MANUSCRIPT OVER TO MIMI CAWOOD WHO WILL BE HANDLING THE PUBLICATION OF THE BOOK OF WHICH THERE WILL BE VERY LIMITED COPIES AVAILABLE Contact her on yebomimi@gmail.com The latest news is that the Editing is now done and we can expect to start sales and deliveries by the end of April 2011
It's nice to have access to someone who was there, and wants to share their experiences with those who want to learn about Rhodesia and her fight to live. There are not many of you guys period, and fewer still who want to talk much about it. And make no mistake, it is indeed a fantastic first hand time portal that you are providing, on a struggle that is only just now being seen as an important subject to study by many who were not there. However it's still got miles to go before the truth is exposed, and accepted by the world population at large, and it's not worth ripping yourself apart over. Hang it up bro, you've fought your war, and there is no point in doing this if it's going to force you to fight it a second time. It's, of course up to you as to what to do with the book. I hope you would still at least put out what you have already done. It will probably never help you, but it might make a difference sometime, somewhere, for somebody. I would take some time and seriously think about it. You have my highest level of respect no matter what you decide. I'm sorry this road has taken this course for you. I just want you to know that you are "the man" here and many others than myself are in your debt regardless of you you need to do. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe World has never cared, not really. You do it because it matters to you. There is nothing more than this. You must decide and make it true or false. What will it be?
ReplyDeleteFailure is something we are all afraid to face up to. Nightmares come and plague our memories because we allow them to. The glass shattered and we all still tried to see through it. We all tried to make up our mind was it worth it or not. Personally I think not but I am just one person the same as you wondering what the whole thing was all about. Did we fail or were we pushed into that corner, trapped. The little men used as pawns while the big men decided which block we would stand on never having stood there themselves. The crossroads only you know which way is right for you. History is told in many different ways it's like a story that can be manipulated so that each side is telling the truth. Does the world care or do we just care because we were there. Your choice you decide will the nightmares ever end anyway.
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