ANZAC Day Monday!

[johnr]

I wont be making the dawn Parade this year... but I should!

[leafman60]

We talked about this last year. It was a helluva time. The Aussies and NewZealanders really stood up. WWI, Gallipoli.

This stuck with Churchill for the rest of his life.

I think today ANZAC commemorates all war efforts but the origins go back to WWI and Gallipoli.

[leafman60]

http://www.history.com/news/winston-churchills-world-war-disaster

[Sasquatch Jim]

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VktJNNKm3B0

[Murray]

Unfortuantely here is Aust at least it's slowly been turned into a hand on heart flag waving exercise, probably because none of the old blokes are left to tell people to bugger off and don't be stupid.

Not what it was all about IMO. Something about those who fail to learn from the past will be destined to relive it over and over again.

[ScepticalScotty]

I well remember my grandad marching in Sydney with other members of the 14th Ack Ack battery down George Street? and then they really got stuck into the beer. They gave me the best nickname, "Snowy" because of my hair. And then when I was older, we all watched the parade on telly and waited for Pops unit to come onto the screen.

I have not lived at home for 16 years Murray, so its sad to see its changed for the worse.

[Waterbottle]

A primary school I pass on the way to work had a sign up on the fence all week, " We shall remember them "  It's very good to see they are teaching our kids of the sacrifices made by our brave men and women.
You served JohnR ?

[cloudbase]

I'll have to arrange for a gunfire breakfast.

[pete mcgee]

Unfortuantely here is Aust at least it's slowly been turned into a hand on heart flag waving exercise, probably because none of the old blokes are left to tell people to bugger off and don't be stupid.

Not what it was all about IMO. Something about those who fail to learn from the past will be destined to relive it over and over again.

Murray,
I don't totally agree with all that.
I just returned from a local service/march and yeah the old WW2 and Korea guys are ageing and thinning out but the Vietnam vets seem to have stood up and taken on the role.
The day evolves as society evolves, newer generations with different experiences are involved, things change.
The dawn service is still a solemn event as it should be and looks like continuing in that vein.
The big city parades are now a media circus. Yes.
But it does make up for the discusting treatment metered out to the Vietnam vets when they came home.
Also don't forget that it was all very low key, "what are they marching for" event during the 60's and 70's viewed as war glorification by the great unwashed hairy arm pitted brigade.
It's nice to get some positive recognition instead of ignorance at best or hostility at worst.
Its also a time to remember and catch up with old mates, some of which you haven't seen in years.
Lest we forget.

[RANDM]

Also don't forget that it was all very low key, "what are they marching for" event during the 60's and 70's viewed as war glorification by the great unwashed hairy arm pitted brigade.

Lest we forget.

I don't remember it quite like that - it was an important
event in the 60's, I used to go into the Sydney March with
Dad - still remember "Blackie" twirling his "Staff" out front
of one of the big Bands.

It lost it's way a little in the 70's when people started to think
it was for glorifying war - then it was made clear it had nothing
to do with the non exhistant glory of War and everything to do
with remembering those who sacrificed them selves for our
sake.

Governments cause war and can go to Hell as far as I'm
concerned - they have NOTHING to do with the sentiments
Surrounding ANZAC Day.

It's about remembering those who die in our defence in
circumstances bought about by the STUPIDITY of those
in Goverment.

I am yet to hear one person who has returned from a
Conflict say it was glorious - to a man or woman they
describe it as a tragic waste.

The only time glory is mentioned is when the Governments
are trying to gee up the working man to go die for their
Political goal - whatever that happens to be at the time.

Maurie.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Another of my old favorites from years gone by.  It still brings a misty eye.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-_lmavUJO8

[mauriceetjeannine]

Hello,

I live near the memorial in Villers Bretonneux, if you come to visit and need some help, let me know.....
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/international/anzac-day-vivez-en-direct-la-ceremonie-au-memorial-de-villers-bretonneux-1461316346

regards,

[Kiwi_Roy]

I had an Uncle who served at Gallipoli, my dad was overseas for 4 years in Egypt for El Alemain and Italy
I must find out if there is a local service.


OOops, I missed it was Sunday

Give us an early warning next year John, there is no mention in the local media.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Hello,

I live near the memorial in Villers Bretonneux, if you come to visit and need some help, let me know.....
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/international/anzac-day-vivez-en-direct-la-ceremonie-au-memorial-de-villers-bretonneux-1461316346

regards,

Thanks for posting that link, it's nice to see they take it seriously in your part of the world.

[johnr]

A primary school I pass on the way to work had a sign up on the fence all week, " We shall remember them "  It's very good to see they are teaching our kids of the sacrifices made by our brave men and women.
You served JohnR ?

Yes. Eight years  Teritorial Force. All our trainers were fresh back from Viet Nam, (the war of the time) so I had enough sense to stay out of That one.  Having such training however meant we took what we were doing very very seriously though and got good at it. 

Anzac Day is gaining momentum here it seems. Attendances are growing every year especially among younger people. I don't ever remember it as anything other than a day of remembrance over here. More vets than there used to be too (of more recent wars).

[Waterbottle]

Maybe there's hope for the next generation yet ? 

[Muzz]

Did not get to the dawn service, but every Anzac Monday the Ulysses club have an annual run to Little River (a small town on the way to Akaroa) in support of Saint Johns. The ambulance service is funded by donation and still has a lot of volunteers doing first aid duties at sports grounds and the like.

About 400 bikes took part, and all monies raised goes to St Johns. Raffle prizes are all donated, and badges are for sale. They are the only "bling" I wear on my riding suit. I think the numbers are getting bigger each year. A wide variety of bikes ranging from 3 wheeled Piaggios right through to massive Kawasaki trikes. Good sprinkling of classic Brits, along of course with a plethora of Harleys.
Only 3 Guzzis total.

Everyone is well behaved so it is one massed ride I will participate in. Good fun, a beautiful day at 60degF, and a great time had by all.

[RANDM]

Anzac Day is gaining momentum here it seems. Attendances are growing every year especially among younger people. I don't ever remember it as anything other than a day of remembrance over here. More vets than there used to be too (of more recent wars).

I'm surprised - I guess that I just assumed you guys did
Anzac Day too without really thinking about it.

I'm hopefull for the next Gen, they'll be different from us,
but we weren't what you'd call perfect! My eldest Daughter
is a Policewoman, Hubby is too and is into Officer training
In the Reserves, my Son's a good Spannerman and my
youngest Daughter is doing Microbiology with Honours at
Uni - when a roughnut like me can have kids like that
There's still hope. 

[Nic in Western NYS]

I know it was originally a Gallipoli memorial, but from a Yank whose father saw combat in the South Pacific in WWII, thank you to our friends down under on ANZAC Day.

[johnr]

I'm surprised - I guess that I just assumed you guys did
Anzac Day too without really thinking about it.

We do. Always have done. It was a comment about tone and attendance.

[johnr]

I know it was originally a Gallipoli memorial, but from a Yank whose father saw combat in the South Pacific in WWII, thank you to our friends down under on ANZAC Day.

That's where my father ended up too Nic. I had to return an artifact he had been been presented with to Vella Levella (Solomons) after he died.

My father survived (obviously), his brother didn't (Crete)

Do you know if your father interacted with any NZers while there?

[RANDM]

We do. Always have done. It was a comment about tone and attendance.

 

I know it was originally a Gallipoli memorial, but from a Yank whose father saw combat in the South Pacific in WWII, thank you to our friends down under on ANZAC Day.

Good of you to mention, we gotta few things to thankful for
too.

Maurie.

[Nic in Western NYS]

That's where my father ended up too Nic. I had to return an artifact he had been been presented with to Vella Levella (Solomons) after he died.

My father survived (obviously), his brother didn't (Crete)

Do you know if your father interacted with any NZers while there?

Sorry for the delay in answering - my father did not talk much about his combat experiences.  He was an Army anti-aircraft gunner and he saw combat in Kwajalein and was preparing for the invasion of the Japan mainland at the end of the war.  He didn't tell me about any interactions with non-US Allied troops but spoke very respectfully of the NZ and Australian efforts. 

[johnr]

Sorry for the delay in answering - my father did not talk much about his combat experiences.

  They tended not to didn't they. The stories I got were of a type that amused a male child. Often later , when I was a bit older, it would occur to me that the incident related would have been none too funny at the time.

He was an Army anti-aircraft gunner and he saw combat in Kwajalein and was preparing for the invasion of the Japan mainland at the end of the war.  He didn't tell me about any interactions with non-US Allied troops but spoke very respectfully of the NZ and Australian efforts.

I don't remember Pop mentioning Kwajalein, though as a support group (machine guns and mortars) bod he tended to be all over the place so you never know.

[johnr]

Hello,

I live near the memorial in Villers Bretonneux, if you come to visit and need some help, let me know.....
https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/international/anzac-day-vivez-en-direct-la-ceremonie-au-memorial-de-villers-bretonneux-1461316346

regards,

Thank you Maurice for posting that, I found it interesting.  I'm afraid the  chances  of visiting you though are between extremely low to Zero. It's a long way and I'm poor!