Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions. I was attending the funeral of one of my former soldiers. It was a day of remembering the good times and also farewelling a friend. Back in my first command role I meet LCPL John “Rocky” Helliar. Back in those days I was living a few hours away and hence spent a fair amount of time at the barracks in Holsworthy. Rocky was in a similar position and hence spent a fair amount of time at the barracks also.
Back in the day we used to sit on the verandah after work and talk over a drink or two…. Talking about work, life and who knows what… Yesterday was a time to remember the good times. And also the good life that Rocky had led. He had three passions in life Family, Army and Rural Fire Service. After listening to the tributes yesterday, it became very clear to me that the Rocky I saw at army was the Rocky that everyone saw.
The stories from family members, the stories from friends, the stories from the Rural Fire Service and the stories from Army all said that Rocky was always there when you needed him. It did not matter whether it was saving Merimbula from fires or playing with the children in the extended family or serving with the Army supporting Aboriginal communities, Rocky was there. It was good to remember the Good Times.
Rest in Peace….
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Death, Farewell, Friends, Funeral, Good Times, Life, Passion, Remembrance, RIP, Service
