ANZAC Day
Apr 5th 2012, 4:11 am
#1
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ANZAC Day
I volunteer at an OAP home and today the residents were invited to attend the ANZAC celebration at the primary school across the road, so I went to help.
It was very moving. I was really impressed by the behaviour of the kids, and the whole attitude of remembering the sacrifices of those who've gone before, remembering how tragic war is, and how lucky we are to live In Australia in a time of peace.
It struck me that it's a shame that, say, Remembrance Day is not a PH in the UK, and that we don't seem to celebrate our fallen in the same way.
(It also struck me that, with all the things I have to do today, perhaps the most important thing was to hold an old lady's hand and try to comfort her when she got upset.)
It was very moving. I was really impressed by the behaviour of the kids, and the whole attitude of remembering the sacrifices of those who've gone before, remembering how tragic war is, and how lucky we are to live In Australia in a time of peace.
It struck me that it's a shame that, say, Remembrance Day is not a PH in the UK, and that we don't seem to celebrate our fallen in the same way.
(It also struck me that, with all the things I have to do today, perhaps the most important thing was to hold an old lady's hand and try to comfort her when she got upset.)
Apr 5th 2012, 11:32 am
#2
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Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Mandurah
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Re: ANZAC Day
I volunteer at an OAP home and today the residents were invited to attend the ANZAC celebration at the primary school across the road, so I went to help.
It was very moving. I was really impressed by the behaviour of the kids, and the whole attitude of remembering the sacrifices of those who've gone before, remembering how tragic war is, and how lucky we are to live In Australia in a time of peace.
It struck me that it's a shame that, say, Remembrance Day is not a PH in the UK, and that we don't seem to celebrate our fallen in the same way.
(It also struck me that, with all the things I have to do today, perhaps the most important thing was to hold an old lady's hand and try to comfort her when she got upset.)
It was very moving. I was really impressed by the behaviour of the kids, and the whole attitude of remembering the sacrifices of those who've gone before, remembering how tragic war is, and how lucky we are to live In Australia in a time of peace.
It struck me that it's a shame that, say, Remembrance Day is not a PH in the UK, and that we don't seem to celebrate our fallen in the same way.
(It also struck me that, with all the things I have to do today, perhaps the most important thing was to hold an old lady's hand and try to comfort her when she got upset.)
I agree its a shame UK doesn't have a PH but I disagree that its not held in high regard. I happened to be in UK last Nov and very unusually for me felt compelled to go to church and follow the march with local sea cadets. The service in a very old church in a quaint country town was beautiful. Every lost souls from the parish had their name read.
I was amazed and touched that in the UK we think it has become such reverence and respect does still exist.
Lest we forget.
Apr 5th 2012, 12:59 pm
#3
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Re: ANZAC Day
Based on what I have seen from living in Sydney, Anzac day is an excuse for pubs to have drinks promotions, and for people to start drinking in the afternoon and be drunk by 6pm. Of course many people attend the dawn service and pay their respects, but many just see it as a day off work.
I think the national silence and wreath laying at the cenotaph is a more dignified way to remember. Just my opinion of course.
I think the national silence and wreath laying at the cenotaph is a more dignified way to remember. Just my opinion of course.
Apr 5th 2012, 1:17 pm
#4
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Re: ANZAC Day
Do they do much in schools for Remembrance Day? Can't remember for me, and never had a kid in school there.
Take your point about the piss-heads, though.
Take your point about the piss-heads, though.
Apr 5th 2012, 1:24 pm
#5
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Re: ANZAC Day
And I guess I was also thinking its a shame that we don't publicly celebrate Britishness, as being proud of your country (which I am, even though I live happily here) has become associated with the National Front. I think there's a lot to be proud of, and we don't celebrate it enough.
(And yeah, I guess it'd be a drunk fest like Australia Day, but I'm not too old (yet) to lose my idealism.)
(And yeah, I guess it'd be a drunk fest like Australia Day, but I'm not too old (yet) to lose my idealism.)
Apr 5th 2012, 1:33 pm
#6
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Re: ANZAC Day
They didn't at my daughter's school in the UK before we moved here. Can't comment on other schools.
Apr 5th 2012, 1:57 pm
#8
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Re: ANZAC Day
My kids did loads for it at uk school, we had a special assembly and they children had written poems, done research etc. they really knew what was going on.
Apr 5th 2012, 2:16 pm
#9
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Re: ANZAC Day
Ditto the schools my girls went to in the UK. I think a lot of it is to do with the fact they don't 'do' 11/11, they do the Sunday thing and it dilutes it. Imo anyway. Don't think it's anything to do with being PC
