Thread: ANZAC Day 2014

Impressive turn out at Whyallas Dawn Service.
The older members were there as always and it was fantastic to see so many young people taking the time to pay respect to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.

Lest we forget.

We are heading off to the local parade shortly in "herc" the 101 and then attending the service. Will post some pics when we get back.

Mrs hh

I'm a quiet introspective, reflective bloke on ANZAC and Remembrance Days.
Then again, those are not the only days of the year I think about the sacrifices of our servicemen and women.

I went to the Dawn service this morning, as I ALWAYS do.

I don't do the gunfire breakfast or anything - preferring to leave that to those who served and their families rather than being some kind of "hanger on" just to score a free feed.


As far as how people today feel about and behave on ANZAC Day, well -

Plenty of people taking photos with everything from dSLR's to mobile phones, And all using flash. Bloody rude. And as if that isn't insensitive enough what's with

- coming to the service on your bicycle,wearing lycra, and not even bothering to get off it but just lean against a post;

- bringing dogs to the service - heaps of those;

- talking during the service;

- playing on mobile phones / constant texting;

- having a pash with the girlfriend during the service; I mean WTF is that?

So many people seem to think that going there is what's important, rather than paying respect to the dead and the fortunate returned.

/ rant over.

Enjoy your ANZAC Day and a big thanks to any current and former servicemen and women here on the forum.

I'm a quiet introspective, reflective bloke on ANZAC and Remembrance Days.
Then again, those are not the only days of the year I think about the sacrifices of our servicemen and women.

I went to the Dawn service this morning, as I ALWAYS do.

I don't do the gunfire breakfast or anything - preferring to leave that to those who served and their families rather than being some kind of "hanger on" just to score a free feed.


As far as how people today feel about and behave on ANZAC Day, well -

Plenty of people taking photos with everything from dSLR's to mobile phones, And all using flash. Bloody rude. And as if that isn't insensitive enough what's with

- coming to the service on your bicycle,wearing lycra, and not even bothering to get off it but just lean against a post;

- bringing dogs to the service - heaps of those;

- talking during the service;

- playing on mobile phones / constant texting;

- having a pash with the girlfriend during the service; I mean WTF is that?

So many people seem to think that going there is what's important, rather than paying respect to the dead and the fortunate returned.

/ rant over.

Enjoy your ANZAC Day and a big thanks to any current and former servicemen and women here on the forum.

Went to the dawn service and was surprised by how many people came this year. A nice service and very moving as always, was impressed by the amount of US Marines that turned up and who were very respectful to the veterans.

To all past and current defence member on here I wish you a happy ANZAC day.

Cheers Ean

Originally Posted by zulu Delta 534

Patsy and I have just returned from the first part of our Anzac ceremonies, the one held at Bald Hills State School.
A very impressive service with recitations and addresses by the School Leaders plus a general address on the meaning of Anzac Day by a young Regular Engineers Lieutenant, the Ode, Last Post and Reveille.
As usual I was extremely impressed by the way these kids carry the service out and it is indeed a privilege to be part of it.
Part of the day for the kids (and when I was this age it sure would have been a highlight for me,) was being able to scramble in and over some of the vehicles and I am always surprised at some of the sensible questions put forward by people so young. It is also interesting to be brought back down to earth again by listening to some of the ideas in these little heads.
One little girl pointed to my medals and asked "was I killed in the war?"
Humorous as the statement may be it also makes me wonder just how old I was before I actually came to grips with what "Dying" actually meant.
Anyway back to the lighter side of the day:
Just after I made my last post yesterday afternoon about my Anzac Day plans and after spending the past day or so sprucing the vehicle up a bit, I hopped in Onslow and took a short run down to the servo to take on enough fuel for the next few days running, and on the way home, about 1 km out I heard a hissing sound and noticed that the temp gauge had risen fairly alarmingly. I threw it into neutral and coasted the best part of the click or so home with the engine still idling, pulled into the driveway and did a quick inspection in, under and around, lifted the bonnet and gingerly (with the aid of a very large towel) released the radiator cap. I put in a couple of gallons I suppose before I realised that it was getting out as fast as I could put it in, so I looked a bit harder and found that the core plug (screw in one) just above the starter was gushing water out. Disaster!
After switching off the motor, I cleaned up the hole area with a screwdriver, towel and compressed air as best I could, then I grabbed some "quicksteel/kneadit" (insert your favourite brand name here.), chopped off about an inch or so and began to knead it and insert it into the offending hole.
About an hour later it had gone off and cured so I refilled the radiator and ran the engine back up to running temperature again without the radiator cap on and all seemed well.
This morning I replaced the cap and set off on our 55 minute freeway run across to the other side of town, with one eye on the road and the other on the temp gauge. All went well so I now just hope this temporary fix will last through tomorrow then I can do something a bit more permanent.

So much for those dramas, now a couple of pictures of the day.
Much the same crew each year offering a wide range from WWll through to Vietnam and current vehicles.


Now we just have tomorrow to look forward to.
Regards
Glen

Good work Glen and Patsy.
We are lucky to have people like you who go out of your way for others.
I am sure that you both told many stories to the kids that had them very engaged

So far we've done the dawn service at Beaudesert, and the march at Jimboomba.

The dawn service was excellent. The minutes silence was actually a silence, even the local wildlife co-operated. The whole ceremony brings a lump to the throat, and a tear to the eye, part of it is huge pride in my 15yo son, who performed flawlessly with his cadet drill team as the catafalque party, and the other part remembrance of those gone before us.

The Jimboomba minutes silence was ruined by a moron on a Harley, who went roaring past the memorial, blipping the throttle all the way.

The drum and pipe band we had there were fabulous though.

Dawn service at HMAS Cerberus. Very moving.
We are so very lucky.
It is sad we must mourn the loss of so many.
I APPRECIATE their sacrifice. And the mothers/fathers/wives/sons and daughters sacrifice.