The fire and flame of war

The daughter of a soldier

After Australia's success in repelling the Korean attack, Australia redeployed its forces and made a direct attack on the North Korean province, and the SASR managed to assassinate Kim Jong un. Thus ending the war. The end of the war in the story takes a few days to occur.
In Alice springs, Amelia was able to walk slowly. She was sitting on her bed when jade walked in. It was the day after.
"Mum!" Amelia said, walking across to her slowly. Jade stood there in the doorway as Amelia came over. "Mum, what's wrong?" Jade just stands there, looking for words.
"It's......I......ummmm" jade struggles with the words.
"Mum, what's happened?" Amelia asks, growing concerned.
"You better sit down dear. I don't think you'll be able to stand after this." Jade says levelly.
"It's dad, isn't it?" Amelia says quietly.
"Let's just sit down first, please Amelia." Jade says. They both sit down on the bed, jade unlacing her boots and crossing her legs. She was wearing a clean uniform as her other one was covered in blood.
"Yesterday, your father and I were involved in an operation to defend Australia. Korea attacked us, and whilst we worked to save Australia, your father saved me from getting hurt. I didn't see a soldier and he almost killed me. Thanks to your dad, I'm alive now." Jade said, looking up at Amelia.
"But?" Amelia asks, almost knowing what's coming but needing to hear it.
"A soldier crept up behind him. I didn't see it until too late. Your father was killed yesterday...." Amelia begins to cry, the tears flowing freely.
"He was shot through the heart, and died instantly. I, ummm. I couldn't save him." Jade said, beginning to cry as well. Amelia embraced jade, and they stayed that way until they calmed down.
"So, is he receiving any awards or anything, for saving you?" Amelia asks.
"He's going to receive a campaign medal for his service overseas in the war and also a medal for gallantry. He's also received a formal letter of commendation from the prime minister and the queen."
"What about you?"
"I'm receiving the Victoria cross, the medal of valour and medal for gallantry."
The girls were interrupted by the chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Leo Davies. Jade jumps up.
"As you were Pilot Officer. I've come to extend my deepest sympathies to you and my congratulations. May I sit so we can talk?" He says.
"Of course sir." Jade replies.
"No need for formalities, is it ok if I call you jade?" He replies.
"Certainly."
"I've come to express how sorry I am for your loss. The Royal Australian Air Force is at your service during this time of grief. I also would like to extend congratulations, firstly on the medals you've been awarded, but secondly and more importantly, I'd like to congratulate you on your impending promotion to squadron leader. However that's not what I'd like to discuss. There are some things that Group Captain Barrington left for you. There is obviously his will which will be dealt with in due course. He organised for you and Amelia to be given a house, on base in Melbourne. Free of charge. He also organised for defence to continue paying his wage so that you could either retire or semi-retire, choice is yours, to look after your daughter. I have also included that if Amelia chooses to join defence later on in her life, she will be accepted without delay.
I also want to tell you that the Australian war memorial in Canberra will be setting up a permanent display in honour of your husbands service. They would like to interview you and Amelia at some stage about both this war and the Russian war. I hope that, despite your loss, this will make it easier, knowing that everyone will remember him." He finishes.
"I don't know what to say. Thank you." Jade replies. He gets up and heads towards the door. "He was a good man jade. A good man and a damn fine soldier. It is my privilege and honour to say I served in the same defence force as group captain Barrington. Thank you jade." He leaves the room. Jade and Amelia hug each other.

  Some weeks later, jade and Amelia stand on the Tarmac at point cook RAAF base. Behind them, a full ceremonial funeral parade. Air Marshal Leo Davies stands with jade and Amelia. Of to their left waits a defence Kenworth truck, waiting to take him on his final ride. Two APCs and Two bushmasters await as escorts. Guns up, ceremonial formation. The C-17 carrying daniel lands with a screech of tires and the whoosh of the engines, coming to a stop not far from jade and Amelia. As the rear door lowers, a command can be heard in the background.
"Parade, general salute, atten-tion!" The whole parade came to attention. Six soldiers, in full combat gear, placed daniel on the back of the waiting truck. The truck moved off, and jade and Amelia got into a bushmaster. Air Marshal Leo Davies saluted the truck, and as the truck moved through the parade, every soldier saluted the truck as it passed them. The final show of respect. The final goodbye.

Once the convoy reached its destination, a service was held to bury him. Air Marshal Davies spoke.
"It is today with great sadness that we must farewell one of the bravest soldiers known to the Australian defence force. Group Captain Daniel Barrington, VC, OAM, was involved in two wars. The Russian conflict overseas and the Korean conflict of recent times. Time and time again, This soldier, this brother, put his mates welfare before his own, often resulting in his injury. This soldier represents everything the Australian defence force is, and he represents everything the ANZACs of years gone by fought for. Group captain Daniel Barrington is the definition of an ANZAC soldier. His service to his country will never be forgotten. His wife, Squadron leader Jade Barrington, and his daughter, Amelia Barrington, have lost not only a husband, or a father. They have lost a major aspect of their family, of their lifestyle and of their experiences. Jade, Amelia, rest assured knowing that your husband and father will be watching you from above. And I'm sure no matter what action you take from here, he would have been very proud of you. We've lost many soldiers in this war. But none quite like Group Captain Barrington
He shall grow not old, as we that are left, grow old. Age shall not weary him, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember him. Lest we forget." As Air Marshal Davies finishes, the last post plays loud. The Air Marshal and every other uniformed member salutes, including jade. In a final goodbye to her father, Amelia, who learnt how to from watching her father do it, salutes for the last post.
"Goodbye dad" she whispers as a tear rolls down her cheek.