The palpable dissent, hate, animosity, call it what you will, in the island of Ireland between certain factions, will last for a very very long time,
notwithstanding the present border issue.
I remember seeing and hearing about the tarring and feathering of young women who fraternised with peace-keeping soldiers.
I heard the bullets being fired at the post at Piggery Ridge.
A good friend was a Colour Sgt in the 1st Bn Gren Guards and was punched and kicked when he arrived at Manchester Station on R&R.
After that he could never wear his uniform in public.
He and others were horribly glassed by some Irish workers in Mönchengladbach when out of uniform when they supposed he and his friends were from the base.
The hate before during and after the 70s has not dissipated, it simmers below the surface to erupt at any given opportunity.
There are those on all sides who will never forget or forgive and still seek retribution.
Ireland is a beautiful island, north and south but, to see the festering hatred manifesting itself all over again is something no-one wants to witness.
The factions responsible seem unwilling to make a lasting, meaningful peace if the recent bomb packages sent to the UK are any indication.
We here will always suffer the fallout although we've tried our best to calm the waters.
It will always be so. In my lifetime and in the lifetimes of my AC, GC, GGC and beyond.
A festering scab that will always be picked.
The border is yet another excuse to rebel.
When you can't solve an issue after almost 100 years, it's best to leave it and turn your attention to matters closer to 'home'.