Rieder, Barry Craig (B C)

Barry Craig Rieder. I cry as I write this for you. I address this to all who knew Barry. I am now 58 and served 6 months on the border in 1976 I recall it was Operation Savanna. That I shall leave for another day. I was involved it active combat , was one of the men that built Old Eenhana and was involved in the new camp. Beside all this I was fortunate enough to go to Luanda in 2005 with the IDC. Barry I dedicate this to you. You my buddy my best friend I miss not talking to you in nearly 38 years. Few people would know you and your family like me. You were the youngest son of Valerie and Walley Rieder, your dad sat telling us stories for hours about WW2. You were so so talented. The best cartoonist in the world. You bought my Ibaneze guitar you nagged me for and hence wound up on the border with you. I took that guitars brother to SWA. I grew up with you , we met when you were 5. Your family, Alan,Chester,Joan and Brian the eldest and a drummer loved you dearly. Your dad was besotted with you. You and I fishing , the old Ford Taunus, the little colt car we could barely fit into.Those were the days. The hours and hours I spent teaching you guitar,your humour,your smile, You would have driven all the young girls crazy. The time you spent at Newton Park Tech. You epitomised the word gentleman. Barry I often cry when I think about you and how tragic a loss of life for what we fought was so unjust and disgusting that I am nauseated when I see the face of the likes of the PW Bothas and criminals that cost us valuable years. Your death is loaded onto their souls as they burn in the embers of eternal hell. Barry today I am a businessman a successful one and when I visit my warehouse in PE I go to your grave in Forest Hill and I am saddend. I saw your dad when I was in PE , The last time before he passed on to be with you was in 2002.He was a broken man,crying,your mom was crying. She was so excited along with your dad to see me. You dad asked questions, Glen he asked , how can Barry not be here, ithats my baby, what happend to him, your dad would not stop with questions, he was 80. I had no answers i had been in the thick of things myself and i sat speechless. What do you say when a father loses a son. But to them you were oh so so special. I went to your room, I used to sleep on the floor , this time I sat on your same bed and I sat there for an hour. My beloved wife Desiree passed away of cancer in 2011, I was console

Barry Rieder was the only soldier of "Berede Peleton 8" of SWASPES unit that we lost in the almost 2 years we were on the border. After 32 years I still remember the day he died in a night attack while we were on patrol and it is a pity it took so long to write something here. He was a very fine young man, well mannered, a bit quiet and very disciplined. Even though he was soft-natured he was a good soldier that served his country with his life. Over the years I lost contact completely with the Berede soldiers of Platoon 8 and I would like to hear from anyone that reads this, fellow soldiers, friends or family of Barry, you can contact me at 0761277892@tiscali.co.za or send me an sms at 0833024575. 2nd. Lt Piet Alberts Platoon Commander Berede Platoon 8 SWASPES 2nd. Lt.

I met Barry on our first day we arrived in Berede Sentrum in Potch. in October 1977. I think it was because he was carrying a guitar that we made our first bond. We went on to become very good friends and spent many hours entertaining ourselves with our guitar playing.The week before Barry was so tragically taken from us he had already placed himself into the Lords hands and I can still remember the last time I saw him, his words to me were..."you know Jim I have not sworn once this week". A true friend and soldier....Rest in peace brother....never forgotten.