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In the lead up to the Anzac Day clash against the Dragons, we remember those who server and returned or paid the ultimate sacrifice for themselves, their families and their country.
We start this thread with an article about Russell Fairfax, his Father and the Vietnam War.
If you find similar articles, or have any stories of your own, please post them here.
We start this thread with an article about Russell Fairfax, his Father and the Vietnam War.
If you find similar articles, or have any stories of your own, please post them here.
Day when tough guys pause to remember
By Nick Walshaw
From: The Daily Telegraph April 19, 2010 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225855228025
Memories...Russell Fairfax and (inset) being cooled down by referee Greg Hartley in 1979. Main picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph
RUSSELL Fairfax remembers the long silences more than anything else. Of his old man sitting alone in the family lounge room, sometimes for hours at a time, as his mind wandered to places no fella should be forced to visit.
"But, mate, that's what Vietnam did to blokes," the 1970s Roosters legend shrugs.
"I mean, when Dad came home from that joint, he just wasn't the same as when he'd left only months before.
"Wasn't the same man.
"He didn't hit the drink or anything like that. But there were still plenty of dark days for him ... days with a lot of long silences."
This is why the NRL still plays a blockbuster on Anzac Day.
For blokes like Sergeant Major Tom Fairfax, the father of a Roosters pin-up who built roads through rubber plantations and uncovered VC tunnels. Who was on ground when the bullets whizzed and Agent Orange fell. Who survived even when Charlie targeted him personally with a sustained bombing raid.
"Yeah, because Dad was in charge of the engineers, they had him on something like a hit list," Fairfax explains. "So this one particular day they bombed his camp, hit it with so many explosions his bed upturned and landed on him. They reckon it was the mattress that saved him from more serious shrapnel wounds."
It's why Fairfax simply shrugs when asked to recall this particular 1979 Anzac Day clash, one where his hair was pulled, body busted and sexuality, as usual, questioned for the entire 80 minutes. Where he not only put one on the chin of Dragons enforcer Rod Reddy - "the best punch I'd ever thrown" - but then bolted when the big unit simply stood and stared.
"Because my old man and his mates," Fairfax says, "they're the tough ones.
"Before Dad shipped out I'd got caught up in that university crowd. Did a bit of protesting, marched in the moratoriums, stuff which caused something of a stand-off at home. But as soon as he got home and walked back in through the door, yeah, I began to understand the sacrifices he'd made for his family.
"For his country."
Which is exactly why Russell Fairfax will be at the SFS this Sunday. Why he's taking his son, too. Young Tom Fairfax.
By Nick Walshaw
From: The Daily Telegraph April 19, 2010 12:00AM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225855228025
Memories...Russell Fairfax and (inset) being cooled down by referee Greg Hartley in 1979. Main picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph
RUSSELL Fairfax remembers the long silences more than anything else. Of his old man sitting alone in the family lounge room, sometimes for hours at a time, as his mind wandered to places no fella should be forced to visit.
"But, mate, that's what Vietnam did to blokes," the 1970s Roosters legend shrugs.
"I mean, when Dad came home from that joint, he just wasn't the same as when he'd left only months before.
"Wasn't the same man.
"He didn't hit the drink or anything like that. But there were still plenty of dark days for him ... days with a lot of long silences."
This is why the NRL still plays a blockbuster on Anzac Day.
For blokes like Sergeant Major Tom Fairfax, the father of a Roosters pin-up who built roads through rubber plantations and uncovered VC tunnels. Who was on ground when the bullets whizzed and Agent Orange fell. Who survived even when Charlie targeted him personally with a sustained bombing raid.
"Yeah, because Dad was in charge of the engineers, they had him on something like a hit list," Fairfax explains. "So this one particular day they bombed his camp, hit it with so many explosions his bed upturned and landed on him. They reckon it was the mattress that saved him from more serious shrapnel wounds."
It's why Fairfax simply shrugs when asked to recall this particular 1979 Anzac Day clash, one where his hair was pulled, body busted and sexuality, as usual, questioned for the entire 80 minutes. Where he not only put one on the chin of Dragons enforcer Rod Reddy - "the best punch I'd ever thrown" - but then bolted when the big unit simply stood and stared.
"Because my old man and his mates," Fairfax says, "they're the tough ones.
"Before Dad shipped out I'd got caught up in that university crowd. Did a bit of protesting, marched in the moratoriums, stuff which caused something of a stand-off at home. But as soon as he got home and walked back in through the door, yeah, I began to understand the sacrifices he'd made for his family.
"For his country."
Which is exactly why Russell Fairfax will be at the SFS this Sunday. Why he's taking his son, too. Young Tom Fairfax.
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