War hero issues a brutal reality check to cricket captain Pat Cummins after he called for Australia Day date to be changed
A decorated Vietnam War veteran has urged Pat Cummins to stop “virtue signaling” and “stick to cricket” after the Australian captain weighed in on the divisive Australia Day debate.
The sports star on Tuesday urged the federal government to change the upcoming national holiday to a “more appropriate date” and believes January 26 was the wrong time.
The current date commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbor and the start of English colonization of the continent and is known by many Indigenous Australians as ‘Invasion Day’.
Cummins’ comments come after Cricket Australia decided not to call Australia Day on day two of Australia’s second Test against the West Indies at the Gabba in Brisbane on Friday.
The administration’s and Cummins’ stance has drawn a fiery response from Michael von Berg, a military cross recipient who served as a combat soldier in the Vietnam War.
The Adelaide war veteran is tired of being told how to celebrate Australia Day by corporate and sporting elites.
“I wish they would stick to cricket,” said an irate Mr. Von Berg.
“Comments like this are not liked by many people who enjoy watching their cricket.”
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins (pictured right with his wife Becky) has come under fire after calling for the date of Australia Day to be changed
“So many people I know, we’re actually tired of what to do, what not to do, what to drive, what not to do.
“This virtue expressed by the business and sporting worlds and by sporting men and women simply has to stop.”
“It doesn’t prove anything and, quite frankly, it annoys us.”
Cummins told reporters on Tuesday that he has had strong feelings about changing Australia Day for some time.
“With a sport like cricket, which has such diversity and millions of people following it, supporting it and playing it, you get a good spectrum and a good sense of what the community expects,” Australia’s best fast bowler explained.
“So when you know some of those players… you hear the stories and their feelings and that becomes extra important.
‘We absolutely love Australia and feel really lucky and privileged to be here in this country, but it is a delicate country.
“Once you start to realize why January 26 was chosen, Australia Day has been a bit of a celebration of everything in our history and we could find a better day.”
Vietnam War veteran Michael von Berg (pictured) urged the Test captain to stick to cricket
The war veteran suggested Pat Cummins’ controversial comments about the Australia Day date won’t be endearing to cricket fans (pictured)
Mr von Berg also issued a scathing message to companies such as Woolworths who have distanced themselves from January 26 by removing Australia Day merchandise from stores.
‘Wake up, go bankrupt. I am tired of being lectured by corporate Australia on how to celebrate this day,” Mr von Berg told Daily Mail Australia on Monday.
He also urged businesses to leave the Australian flag and date alone.
There will be no ambiguity in our veteran community as we celebrate Australia Day,” he said.
“The Australian flag will be flown high and proud because this flag means more to us than just a piece of cloth.
“When a soldier dies, that flag is draped over the coffin; these are the weapons of the nation embracing the soldier and thanking him/her for their service. The flag flying at half mast are the tears of the nation that mourns that soldier. It means even more.
“Leave our day and flag alone!”
The war hero also slammed Waverley Council’s decision to hold a ‘dawn reflection’ at Bondi Beach next Friday to recognize the resilience and survival of Aboriginal people, recognizing it as a ‘day of mourning’ for many First Nations people.
He says morning services should not be associated with Australia Day, given their significance to soldiers on Anzac Day.
“It’s a disservice not only to the veteran community, but to the First Nations soldiers who fought and died for their country,” Von Berg said.
“Personally, such a morning service goes against what they traditionally stand for, which is honoring soldiers.”
“This stuff doesn’t help anyone. I have nothing but respect for the First Nations people, but there has to be another way.”
The upcoming national holiday has reignited the debate over the date of Australia Day