My Dad was in the New Zealand Navy for a great number of years. We never really knew what was involved in his working life - as kids we knew he disappeared for a few months at a time and came back with presents.
As grown ups we were more cautious about asking questions - and were (are?) probably a bit more self-involved in our own lives.
My Dad is also not exactly forthcoming with information. He'll just shrug his shoulders and get on with whatever is in front of him, the past doesnt come into it so much.
We had a family dinner on Sunday and for some reason my mother got it into her head that we should learn more about our father's history. So we all got to ask a question and get some history explained.
We now know what all his medals are for - among them a medal for witnessing (attending?) a nuclear bomb test by the French at Mururoa Atoll. He's got photos.
The others are for his participation in the Gulf War and East Timor conflict.
He also told us some super-spy business his ship had a hand in during the Gulf War but I dont want to go into specifics in case the US government come for me (I've seen conspiracy TV shows! I know how things work!).
He was also a Navy Diver. And as the police force in New Zealand did not have a diving team at the time, the Navy were responsible for a lot of recoveries. Body recoveries. Suicides who dove off the Auckland Harbour Bridge - as well as recovery from the Rainbow Warrior.
One particular event made him quit the diving team and focus on other naval pursuits. It involved a car crash in the Waikato River, the current had carried the car and they had been unable to find the wreckage - and the teenagers in it. About 2 weeks after the accident they pulled the teenage boys out of the river and onto the bank - and witnessed one of the fathers trying to resuscitate his son.
My Dad has seen some bad things in his life. I guess I can understand why he doesnt really discuss it that much with his children - it does not paint such a pretty picture of the world.
But despite this - my Dad has made it through it all. Has raised some hopeful & well-mannered children (or I'd like to think so).
And can now sit back and enjoy the rest of his life - with no bad things to come his way.
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