Thread: ANZAC DAY - a tribute to the Diggers

So as I did say before, this is undated for a reason.

But in 1916 the ANZACs were thrown into the cauldron that was the Somme and the Western Front. There were still Aussies fighting in the Middle East but the western front was unlike any war previously fought.

Overview: at this location | The Windmill, Pozi'res | Australians on the Western Front 1914-1918

Pozieres springs to mind as does Frommelles due to the relatively recent discovery of so many of our war dead from WWI in war graves there.

But the Menin Gate, Thievpal memorial, and so many many more monuments and memorials mark the passing of so many men that were simply never found again.

This year as you commemorate ANZAC Day don't just honour those who we have lost in war or who contributed and we have lost since.

Get up there and shake the hand of someone who is or has done been there and is still alive.

Find that elusive WWII veteran, the Korea Veteran, the Vietnam War veteran, the veterans of Indonesian and Malaysian conflicts, Middle East wars and actions, Fiji, Soloman Islands and East Timor and there are many more ...

Buy a drink and hand it over without fanfare say thanks...

I generally buy a tray of beers (6) and walk up to a group (I seem to choose either Vietnam or current servicemen without trying to do so) hand the tray over and simply tell them that me and my family appreciate what they have done and are fiercely proud to be Australian because of people like them.

Then I bugger off.

Remember and honour the fallen, remember and honour those who served
Not just Anzac and Remembrance Day, but all the time.

I leave with these two things:
A new memorial has been opened near our beautiful National War Memorial (SA) opened yesterday and appears well done.

Anzac centenary memorial walk a 'special place' for remembrance, Governor Hieu Van Le says - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

2nd, but most important,
Thanks to all who have served or are serving. We are proud of you.

Originally Posted by digger

So as I did say before, this is undated for a reason.

But in 1916 the ANZACs were thrown into the cauldron that was the Somme and the Western Front. There were still Aussies fighting in the Middle East but the western front was unlike any war previously fought.

Overview: at this location | The Windmill, Pozi'res | Australians on the Western Front 1914-1918

Pozieres springs to mind as does Frommelles due to the relatively recent discovery of so many of our war dead from WWI in war graves there.

But the Menin Gate, Thievpal memorial, and so many many more monuments and memorials mark the passing of so many men that were simply never found again.

This year as you commemorate ANZAC Day don't just honour those who we have lost in war or who contributed and we have lost since.

Get up there and shake the hand of someone who is or has done been there and is still alive.

Find that elusive WWII veteran, the Korea Veteran, the Vietnam War veteran, the veterans of Indonesian and Malaysian conflicts, Middle East wars and actions, Fiji, Soloman Islands and East Timor and there are many more ...

Buy a drink and hand it over without fanfare say thanks...

I generally buy a tray of beers (6) and walk up to a group (I seem to choose either Vietnam or current servicemen without trying to do so) hand the tray over and simply tell them that me and my family appreciate what they have done and are fiercely proud to be Australian because of people like them.

Then I bugger off.

Remember and honour the fallen, remember and honour those who served
Not just Anzac and Remembrance Day, but all the time.

I leave with these two things:
A new memorial has been opened near our beautiful National War Memorial (SA) opened yesterday and appears well done.

Anzac centenary memorial walk a 'special place' for remembrance, Governor Hieu Van Le says - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

2nd, but most important,
Thanks to all who have served or are serving. We are proud of you.

Wonderful thoughts, but may I say, concentrate on the young ones, Us oldies have received enough pats on the back. And, you do not have to buy anyone a beer, just say thanks, and be genuine. And then walk away, leave them to themselves.

I wrote this 8 years ago, when the old man was beginning to slow down a bit, and I was wondering how many more ANZAC days he'd see. It's as true now as it ever was, so I'm posting it here as a reminder of what ANZAC day is really all about.

The Old Man's 87 now and if he's around for many more ANZAC days it'll be a miracle. If congestive heart failure doesn't get him, then he'll probably be shot by a jealous suitor. He and his brother (a sprightly 82, but his short-term memory's a bit sus these days) recently got back from a cruise through the Pacific where they focused on squandering our inheritance and playing up a bit and my dad had to spend a few days in hospital afterwards getting over it. So I figured I'd better go to a dawn service with the old fella seeing as there may not be too many more chances. He was a sailor in WWII and finished up as an anti-aircraft gunner on the "Gascoyne", a frigate serving convoy and escort duties in the pacific, and saw quite a bit of action. A consultation with my sister revealed that she was taking the service at American River and the old man was going with her. So the day before ANZAC day, I flew down there to join them
The following morning at about 5:00am I helped sis get the old man and one of his neighbours, both resplendent in their medals, into the car and we set off for American River, a small settlement near the eastern end of Kangaroo Island. The memorial at American River is a modest little structure about 6 feet high on a small patch of lawn behind a car park, with an associated flagpole. In common with many such memorials all around the country, you normally wouldn't give it a second glance as you went past. However, some thoughtful souls had placed clear plastic 2-litre milk containers, cut in half and fitted with candles, all around the car park and the memorial itself, presumably to help illuminate the way for those present who were not as nimble as they used to be. This, combined with the effect of the pale early morning light, and the muffled sounds of the three-dozen or so people gathering nearby, gave the place a sombre formality.
The service was brief, the wreaths were laid, the bugler managed his part without too many off notes, and the bagpiper produced a tune which captured a sense of the mourning associated with the occasion. This tiny gathering, in this nondescript setting, was being repeated as the sun rose all over the country this day. There were no politicians pontificating, no grand martial displays or huge choirs or impressive fly-bys, just a bunch of ordinary people keeping faith with the promise they made never to forget what others had done for them. I reflected that this was the real core of the ANZAC day tradition.
When it was all over we wandered over to the local health centre for a cuppa and a piece of toast. I discovered that I knew the bagpiper- he owned a Cessna and had purchased a Mustang kit, and we spent some time chatting about matters aeronautical. Then it was time to run Dad back home for a rest before his major event later that day- taking the salute at the local march-past (he was president of the local branch of the RSL this year).
I had to get on home, so bid the old fella farewell and took off before the poor weather arrived from the west, wondering how many more ANZAC days I'd be able to spend with him.
Coop
(Seven, as it turned out. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 94 on May 1st, a few days after my brother and I wheeled him along ahead of the local march in Kingscote. It doesn't seem like ANZAC day without him.)

American River Memorial2007.jpg

Coop that is exactly what this is all about thank you very very much for posting that.

Just got back from the Mildura Dawn Service and there was a huge roll up, I wouldn't be surprised if it is the largest on record there. Wonderful to see that so many people will rise at such an early hour to attend the service.
Crystal clear moonlit sky this morning too!


Cheers, Mick.