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ANZAC Day.
Its ANZAC day this weekend.
I guess a lot of recent arrivals won’t understand it, or care about it. I didn’t when I arrived. I was lucky, in that I caught the end of the better years. In the mid 80s to mid 90s there were WW1 diggers around, some fit enough to even march. There were hundreds of thousands of WW2 diggers, who were still working in those days. They would fill the Sydney bars with songs and stories. The bands were either military ones, or bands comprising of former military members. They were good too. Time marches on, and not that many WW2 diggers make it these days. I saw one die on George Street a few years ago. The reaper caught up with him, but at least he was surrounded by mates when he went. I stopped going to the march a few years ago when it became more like a fancy dress parade. Schoolkids who have split grandads medal sets. Ex Cadets acting like they came back from the landing itself. MacDonald’s marching girls band. I still go to the dawn service, a small bottle of whisky in my coat pocket. I think the ANZACs would forgive me taking a swig afterwards. Nice atmosphere in Martin Place. Dotted around the city similar dawn services take place. Sydney university hold a nice one in the Quad. Does anyone have plans to attend, or is it just a public holiday these days? |
Re: ANZAC Day.
Originally Posted by slapphead_otool
(Post 9318150)
Its ANZAC day this weekend.
I guess a lot of recent arrivals won’t understand it, or care about it. I didn’t when I arrived. I was lucky, in that I caught the end of the better years. In the mid 80s to mid 90s there were WW1 diggers around, some fit enough to even march. There were hundreds of thousands of WW2 diggers, who were still working in those days. They would fill the Sydney bars with songs and stories. The bands were either military ones, or bands comprising of former military members. They were good too. Time marches on, and not that many WW2 diggers make it these days. I saw one die on George Street a few years ago. The reaper caught up with him, but at least he was surrounded by mates when he went. I stopped going to the march a few years ago when it became more like a fancy dress parade. Schoolkids who have split grandads medal sets. Ex Cadets acting like they came back from the landing itself. MacDonald’s marching girls band. I still go to the dawn service, a small bottle of whisky in my coat pocket. I think the ANZACs would forgive me taking a swig afterwards. Nice atmosphere in Martin Place. Dotted around the city similar dawn services take place. Sydney university hold a nice one in the Quad. Does anyone have plans to attend, or is it just a public holiday these days? I found their views on the Americans from that time very interesting.... almost to a man. Certainly very different to how they viewed the British Tommys.... Got along very well with the UK soldiers by all accounts. Anzac day is a great occasion they do celebrate it well here. |
Re: ANZAC Day.
Originally Posted by slapphead_otool
(Post 9318150)
Its ANZAC day this weekend.
I guess a lot of recent arrivals won’t understand it, or care about it. I didn’t when I arrived. I was lucky, in that I caught the end of the better years. In the mid 80s to mid 90s there were WW1 diggers around, some fit enough to even march. There were hundreds of thousands of WW2 diggers, who were still working in those days. They would fill the Sydney bars with songs and stories. The bands were either military ones, or bands comprising of former military members. They were good too. Time marches on, and not that many WW2 diggers make it these days. I saw one die on George Street a few years ago. The reaper caught up with him, but at least he was surrounded by mates when he went. I stopped going to the march a few years ago when it became more like a fancy dress parade. Schoolkids who have split grandads medal sets. Ex Cadets acting like they came back from the landing itself. MacDonald’s marching girls band. I still go to the dawn service, a small bottle of whisky in my coat pocket. I think the ANZACs would forgive me taking a swig afterwards. Nice atmosphere in Martin Place. Dotted around the city similar dawn services take place. Sydney university hold a nice one in the Quad. Does anyone have plans to attend, or is it just a public holiday these days? My kids school do a lovely ceremony, I am glad they are teaching the youngsters what it is all about, even if they way they celebrate these days is slightly different to years ago. Better than just ignoring it. |
Re: ANZAC Day.
always take my 2 girls to the dawn service in kings park, Perth, to show our respect.
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Re: ANZAC Day.
The kids are supposed to be singing in the school choir for the local service, so I suppose we'll have to go.
Last year we watched the sun rise over the Gulf in Dubai with a couple of hundred Aussies and Kiwis to the news of the NZ Helicopter crash - was really sad. |
Re: ANZAC Day.
We do the dawn service with the kids every year. We get no trouble from the kids they understand why we do it. We sell ANZAC badges every year (and Poppies) for the local RSL.
Don't forget those that fought in Vietnam as well. A lot of them had little choice. Remember Vietnam was the first time Aus introduced the draft. |
Re: ANZAC Day.
I am going to the Dawn Service where I live, I will be recording it and the parade for my Dad and making a DVD for him as he would have wanted to go had he been able to stay.
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Re: ANZAC Day.
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Re: ANZAC Day.
Originally Posted by Kim67
(Post 9318312)
The kids are supposed to be singing in the school choir for the local service, so I suppose we'll have to go.
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Re: ANZAC Day.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
(Post 9318163)
I probably wont be attending, but I've been here long enough to have mixed with the old Diggers and hear a lot of the stories first hand.
I found their views on the Americans from that time very interesting.... almost to a man. Certainly very different to how they viewed the British Tommys.... Got along very well with the UK soldiers by all accounts. Anzac day is a great occasion they do celebrate it well here. Share with us. |
Re: ANZAC Day.
Originally Posted by BigH68
(Post 9319047)
sounds like you dont wanna go
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Re: ANZAC Day.
Originally Posted by CelticRover
(Post 9319052)
Share with us.
Smashing all of their equipment when they left their bases here... The very large smashed water pumps really upset the locals here. Huts... Vehicles...Kitchen Equipment... Supposedly smashed more out of spite and arrogance rather than policy. Find anyone that was actually there and they will tell you similar stories. |
Re: ANZAC Day.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
(Post 9319885)
Leaving injured Australian soldiers for dead up in Papua New Guinea even though they would treat their own and had the capacity to treat more.
Smashing all of their equipment when they left their bases here... The very large smashed water pumps really upset the locals here. Huts... Vehicles...Kitchen Equipment... Supposedly smashed more out of spite and arrogance rather than policy. Find anyone that was actually there and they will tell you similar stories. |
Re: ANZAC Day.
Originally Posted by ozzieeagle
(Post 9319885)
Leaving injured Australian soldiers for dead up in Papua New Guinea even though they would treat their own and had the capacity to treat more.
Smashing all of their equipment when they left their bases here... The very large smashed water pumps really upset the locals here. Huts... Vehicles...Kitchen Equipment... Supposedly smashed more out of spite and arrogance rather than policy. Find anyone that was actually there and they will tell you similar stories. |
Re: ANZAC Day.
OH is secretary of the local RSL. We'll be attending twice. Once in the morning in town and once in the afternoon in another smaller town where OH will be the guest speaker.
I'm just the driver. :) Sad thing, all the WW1 guys are gone now and it won't be long before the WW2 people are all gone as well. Vietnam vets weren't given a good time of it when they got back. Hopefully things will improve for them in the coming years. |
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