No one would be happy that "credible evidence" has been found that Australia's finest soldiering group stands accused of murdering 39 civilians or captives. And the years to come will not do morale any favours, with allegations young soldiers were ordered to kill a civilian to "blood" them (initiate them into the group).

Defence chief General Angus Campbell promised to act on the "shameful" findings.

But there are some people who might be feeling something positive today, and they deserve our gratitude.

They won't feel happy, because they take no joy in bad news, but they will feel vindicated, and for people who devote themselves to pursuing the truth despite sometimes harsh consequences to themselves, that's sometimes enough.

Read more: Veterans will be relieved over war crimes report release, Australia Defence Association says

These are the soldiers and former soldiers who blew the whistle on the behaviour, and the journalists who fought to tell their stories despite being lined up against some of the most powerful institutions, and decorated soldiers, in the land.

It matters. The Anzac legend is a formative story in most Australian kids' early years. We're often told our soldiers were admired by allies and enemy alike, going along with the storied character of the Aussie Digger popularised since Charles Bean's work as a WWI correspondent and historian.

"He was a bit of a lair, perhaps, but brave beyond belief and possessed of supposedly unique characteristics of mateship, egalitarianism, ingenuity and almost super-human resilience," wrote the Guardian's Paul Daley, on Bean's Digger.

Much of the praise for Australia's armed forces and the way they conduct themselves is no doubt warranted. And we should hope future investigations sheet home responsibility where it belongs. How much of these alleged crimes can be linked to the special forces' heavy deployment, year after year, in Afghanistan, and those units bearing a share of the Australian casualties far beyond their numbers?

Read more: Calls to drop prosecution of Afghanistan war crimes whistleblower David McBride

In war people do terrible things, and sometimes it it the nation who asks them to do it. But there is a line and people know where it is. Don't forget it was special forces soldiers themselves who blew the whistle.

If we are to encourage each generation of children to support the Anzac legend - particularly the part of the honest fighter - then we need to make sure the truth is aired too. Otherwise we risk failing to ensure a military culture that matches the values it espouses, not letting the "ego, elitism and entitlement" rule the special forces, as Gen Campbell said.

He has vowed to remedy what he called "a misplaced focus on prestige, status and power, turning away from the regiment's heritage of military excellence fused with the quiet humility of service".

But without the brave soldiers who blew the whistle, and the brave journalists who pursued the truth, despite threats and hardship, we would still be in the dark.

To those who have pursued the truth, at significant cost to themselves, we salute you.

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