At the going down of the sun we will forget them

The 100th anniversary of ANZAC will be celebrated between 2014-18.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Diggers have been treated as if they are whingeing malingerers, feigning PTSD and psychological disorders, including the physical and mental after effects of Agent Orange and other deadly chemical weapons, undeserving of a fistful of dollars extra in their pension; constantly having to prove that injuries to body, mind and soul are legit.

The Gillard government would have them turning up their slouch hats and begging on street corners to buy a loaf of bread.

I know from discussions and meetings that these human beings are hurting . If you take time to read some of the comments, you will read their poignant stories in their words, not mine.

They also efficiently demolish the febrile arguments of the government's contrived accounting. This is not just about the money.

The Fair Go campaign by the Diggers (and this term embraces matelots, navy and air force) took Canberra by surprise.

It has sustained energetic momentum, bombarding politicians and ministers with emails and letters and exposed their ridiculous and lazy pro forma responses.

Diggers have now galvanised themselves into a formidable electoral bloc. Given family members, friends and supporters they could muster enough political firepower to cause havoc in marginal seats.

They have forensically analysed all seats and electorates - and know how many Veteran pension recipients are in each and what percentage of votes it will take to dislodge incumbents from their soiled trenches.

These military trained citizen activists are the real deal. They have an impressive discipline and a loyal fraternity that their adversaries lack.

Initially, mainstream media and online media for that matter, seemed to have a blackout on the plight of the Diggers, but their persistence earned them a major breakthrough when Josie Taylor, presenter of ABC 7.30 Victoria covered the story, interviewing Diggers and family members.