Music is a universal language, it knows no boundaries, class or creed I like to write about events that affect me personally or have shaped the nation. Writing Soldier was my small tribute to the wonderful men and women who served our country. Not only to the Diggers of World War One and World War Two but also the Vietnam Vets who were made scapegoats by a ,(which was then) an unforgiving nation. My father did National service and my grandfather served in World War 2 but was never posted offshore. Performing at an ANZAC service made me feel proud of being Australian Thankfully most Australians have now developed a greater understanding and appreciation of what our Vietnam Vets went through . No other war had to deal with such atrocious chemicals like Napalm gas or had its soldiers become political footballs. We are now as proud of them as we were our famous world war one and world war two diggers. All wars has moments that typify the unique Aussie fighting spirit. In World War One one was Galipolli, in World War Two it includes the Thai Burma Railway and in Vietnam it was Battle of Long Tan. Then the Australian D Company, of only 108 men took on 2000 Viet Cong. I wrote songs called “Butterfly River” and “ I can fly” respectively about World Two and Vietnam. Soldier is actually a poem I wrote that I later converted to music. It tells of looking at a aging photo of a young digger and asking questions. The answers are of course reflect why ANZAC day is so important to all Australians. Other countries of course have their own In America it is Veterans day and in the UK it is remembrance day. ANZAC day and Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. The words I like best are “lest we forget my friend, you gave your life for me”